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Macromolecule conformational shaping for extreme mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fibers

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao-Qiao Wang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Kwok Hoe Chan

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Wanheng Lu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Tianpeng Ding

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Serene Wen Ling Ng

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Yin Cheng

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Tongtao Li

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Minghui Hong

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Benjamin C. K. Tee

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

  • Ghim Wei Ho

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Mechanical properties of hydrogels are crucial to emerging devices and machines for wearables, robotics and energy harvesters. Various polymer network architectures and interactions have been explored for achieving specific mechanical characteristics, however, extreme mechanical property tuning of single-composition hydrogel material and deployment in integrated devices remain challenging. Here, we introduce a macromolecule conformational shaping strategy that enables mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fiber based devices. Conformation of the single-composition polyelectrolyte macromolecule is controlled to evolve from coiling to extending states via a pH-dependent antisolvent phase separation process. The resulting structured hydrogel microfibers reveal extreme mechanical integrity, including modulus spanning four orders of magnitude, brittleness to ultrastretchability, and plasticity to anelasticity and elasticity. Our approach yields hydrogel microfibers of varied macromolecule conformations that can be built-in layered formats, enabling the translation of extraordinary, realistic hydrogel electronic applications, i.e., large strain (1000%) and ultrafast responsive (~30 ms) fiber sensors in a robotic bird, large deformations (6000%) and antifreezing helical electronic conductors, and large strain (700%) capable Janus springs energy harvesters in wearables.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao-Qiao Wang & Kwok Hoe Chan & Wanheng Lu & Tianpeng Ding & Serene Wen Ling Ng & Yin Cheng & Tongtao Li & Minghui Hong & Benjamin C. K. Tee & Ghim Wei Ho, 2022. "Macromolecule conformational shaping for extreme mechanical programming of polymorphic hydrogel fibers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31047-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31047-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hyunwoo Yuk & Shaoting Lin & Chu Ma & Mahdi Takaffoli & Nicolas X. Fang & Xuanhe Zhao, 2017. "Hydraulic hydrogel actuators and robots optically and sonically camouflaged in water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Songlin Zhang & Mengjuan Zhou & Mingyang Liu & Zi Hao Guo & Hao Qu & Wenshuai Chen & Swee Ching Tan, 2023. "Ambient-conditions spinning of functional soft fibers via engineering molecular chain networks and phase separation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yingkun Shi & Baohu Wu & Shengtong Sun & Peiyi Wu, 2023. "Aqueous spinning of robust, self-healable, and crack-resistant hydrogel microfibers enabled by hydrogen bond nanoconfinement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Haitao Yang & Shuo Ding & Jiahao Wang & Shuo Sun & Ruphan Swaminathan & Serene Wen Ling Ng & Xinglong Pan & Ghim Wei Ho, 2024. "Computational design of ultra-robust strain sensors for soft robot perception and autonomy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.

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