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Bioinspired soft robots based on organic polymer-crystal hybrid materials with response to temperature and humidity

Author

Listed:
  • Xuesong Yang

    (Jilin University)

  • Linfeng Lan

    (Jilin University)

  • Xiuhong Pan

    (Jilin University)

  • Qi Di

    (Jilin University)

  • Xiaokong Liu

    (Jilin University)

  • Liang Li

    (New York University Abu Dhabi
    Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi)

  • Panče Naumov

    (New York University Abu Dhabi
    Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts
    New York University)

  • Hongyu Zhang

    (Jilin University)

Abstract

The capability of stimulated response by mechanical deformation to induce motion or actuation is the foundation of lightweight organic, dynamic materials for designing light and soft robots. Various biomimetic soft robots are constructed to demonstrate the vast versatility of responses and flexibility in shape-shifting. We now report that the integration of organic molecular crystals and polymers brings about synergistic improvement in the performance of both materials as a hybrid materials class, with the polymers adding hygroresponsive and thermally responsive functionalities to the crystals. The resulting hybrid dynamic elements respond within milliseconds, which represents several orders of magnitude of improvement in the time response relative to some other type of common actuators. Combining molecular crystals with polymers brings crystals as largely overlooked materials much closer to specific applications in soft (micro)robotics and related fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuesong Yang & Linfeng Lan & Xiuhong Pan & Qi Di & Xiaokong Liu & Liang Li & Panče Naumov & Hongyu Zhang, 2023. "Bioinspired soft robots based on organic polymer-crystal hybrid materials with response to temperature and humidity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37964-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37964-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongtu Xu & Huan Liang & Yang Yang & Yawen Liu & Enjian He & Zhijun Yang & Yixuan Wang & Yen Wei & Yan Ji, 2024. "Rejuvenating liquid crystal elastomers for self-growth," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Subham Ranjan & Avulu Vinod Kumar & Rajadurai Chandrasekar & Satoshi Takamizawa, 2024. "Spatially controllable and mechanically switchable isomorphous organoferroeleastic crystal optical waveguides and networks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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