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Wu L, Huang X, Wang M, Chen J, Chang J, Zhang H, Zhang X, Conn A, Rossiter J, Birchall M, Song W. Tunable Light-Responsive Polyurethane-urea Elastomer Driven by Photochemical and Photothermal Coupling Mechanism. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:19480-19495. [PMID: 38581369 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c00486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Light-driven soft actuators based on photoresponsive materials can be used to mimic biological motion, such as hand movements, without involving rigid or bulky electromechanical actuations. However, to our knowledge, no robust photoresponsive material with desireable mechanical and biological properties and relatively simple manufacture exists for robotics and biomedical applications. Herein, we report a new visible-light-responsive thermoplastic elastomer synthesized by introducing photoswitchable moieties (i.e., azobenzene derivatives) into the main chain of poly(ε-caprolactone) based polyurethane urea (PAzo). A PAzo elastomer exhibits controllable light-driven stiffness softening due to its unique nanophase structure in response to light, while possessing excellent hyperelasticity (stretchability of 575.2%, elastic modulus of 17.6 MPa, and strength of 44.0 MPa). A bilayer actuator consisting of PAzo and polyimide films is developed, demonstrating tunable bending modes by varying incident light intensities. Actuation mechanism via photothermal and photochemical coupling effects of a soft-hard nanophase is demonstrated through both experimental and theoretical analyses. We demonstrate an exemplar application of visible-light-controlled soft "fingers" playing a piano on a smartphone. The robustness of the PAzo elastomer and its scalability, in addition to its excellent biocompatibility, opens the door to the development of reproducible light-driven wearable/implantable actuators and lightweight soft robots for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wu
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Xia Huang
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Meng Wang
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Jishizhan Chen
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Jinke Chang
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Han Zhang
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Xuetong Zhang
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
- Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Andrew Conn
- Dept of Engineering Mathematics and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Rossiter
- Dept of Engineering Mathematics and Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Birchall
- UCL Ear Institute, Royal National Ear Nose and Throat and Eastman Dental Hospitals (UCLH NHS Foundation Trust), University College London, London WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom
| | - Wenhui Song
- Centre of Biomaterials for in Surgical Reconstruction and Regeneration, Department of Surgical Biotechnology, Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
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2
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Ma S, Zhou Y, Wang L, Zhang H. Multifunctional UV-NIR Dual Light-Responsive Soft Actuators from a Main-Chain Azobenzene Semi-Crystalline Poly(ester-amide) Doped with Polydopamine Nanoparticles. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303306. [PMID: 37965800 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The development of soft photoactuators with multifunctionality and improved performance is highly important for their broad applications. Herein, we report on a facile and efficient strategy for fabricating such photoactuators with UV-NIR dual light-responsivity, room-temperature 3D shape reprogrammability and reprocessability, and photothermal healability by doping polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles into a main-chain azobenzene semi-crystalline poly(ester-amide) (PEA). The PEA/PDA nanoparticle composite was readily processed into free-standing films with enhanced mechanical and photomechanical properties compared with the blank PEA films. Its physically crosslinked uniaxially oriented films showed rapid and highly reversible photochemically induced bending/unbending under the UV/visible light irradiation at room temperature in both the air atmosphere and water. When exposed to the NIR light, they (and their bilayer films formed with a polyimide film) exhibited photothermally induced bending even at a temperature much lower than their crystalline-to-isotropic phase transition temperature based on a unique mechanism (involving photothermally induced polymer chain relaxation due to the disruption of their hydrogen bonds). The room-temperature 3D shape reprogrammability and reprocessability and photothermal healability of the composite polymer films were also demonstrated. Such multifunctional dual light-responsive photoactuators with well-balanced mechanical robustness, actuation stability, 3D shape reprogrammability/reprocessability and photothermal healability hold much promise in various photoactuating applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengkui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
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Ma S, Wang L, Zhou Y, Zhang H. Fully Room Temperature Reprogrammable, Recyclable, and Photomobile Soft Actuators from Physically Cross-Linked Main-Chain Azobenzene Liquid Crystalline Polymers. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28104174. [PMID: 37241914 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28104174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fully room temperature three-dimensional (3D) shape-reprogrammable, recyclable, and photomobile azobenzene (azo) polymer actuators hold much promise in many photoactuating applications, but their development is challenging. Herein, we report on the efficient synthesis of a series of main-chain azo liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) with such performances via Michael addition polymerization. They have both ester groups and two kinds of hydrogen bond-forming groups (i.e., amide and secondary amino groups) and different flexible spacer length in the backbones. Such poly(ester-amide-secondary amine)s (PEAsAs) show low glass transition temperatures (Tg ≤ 18.4 °C), highly ordered smectic liquid crystalline phases, and reversible photoresponsivity. Their uniaxially oriented fibers fabricated via the melt spinning method exhibit good mechanical strength and photoinduced reversible bending/unbending and large stress at room temperature, which are largely influenced by the flexible spacer length of the polymers. Importantly, all these fibers can be easily reprogrammed under strain at 25 °C into stable fiber springs capable of showing a totally different photomobile mode (i.e., unwinding/winding), mainly owing to the presence of low Tg and both dynamic hydrogen bonding and stable crystalline domains (induced by the uniaxial drawing during the fiber formation). They can also be recycled from a solution at 25 °C. This work not only presents the first azo LCPs with 3D shape reprogrammability, recyclability, and photomobility at room temperature, but also provides some important knowledge of their structure-property relationship, which is useful for designing more advanced photodeformable azo polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengkui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Lam KY, Lee CS, Pichika MR, Cheng SF, Hang Tan RY. Light-responsive polyurethanes: classification of light-responsive moieties, light-responsive reactions, and their applications. RSC Adv 2022; 12:15261-15283. [PMID: 35693222 PMCID: PMC9118056 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra01506d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimuli responsiveness has been an attractive feature of smart material design, wherein the chemical and physical properties of the material can be varied in response to small environmental change. Polyurethane (PU), a widely used synthetic polymer can be upgraded into a light-responsive smart polymer by introducing a light-sensitive moiety into the polymer matrix. For instance, azobenzene, spiropyran, and coumarin result in reversible light-induced reactions, while o-nitrobenzyl can result in irreversible light-induced reactions. These variations of light-stimulus properties endow PU with wide ranges of physical, mechanical, and chemical changes upon exposure to different wavelengths of light. PU responsiveness has rarely been reviewed even though it is known to be one of the most versatile polymers with diverse ranges of applications in household, automotive, electronic, construction, medical, and biomedical industries. This review focuses on the classes of light-responsive moieties used in PU systems, their synthesis, and the response mechanism of light-responsive PU-based materials, which also include dual- or multi-responsive light-responsive PU systems. The advantages and limitations of light-responsive PU are reviewed and challenges in the development of light-responsive PU are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Yan Lam
- School of Postgraduate, International Medical University No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Choy Sin Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Mallikarjuna Rao Pichika
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
- Centre for Bioactive Molecules and Drug Delivery, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
| | - Sit Foon Cheng
- Unit of Research on Lipids (URL), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur 50603 Malaysia
| | - Rachel Yie Hang Tan
- School of Postgraduate, International Medical University No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
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Ahmadi‐Nohadani H, Nono‐Tagne S, Barrett CJ, Otsuka I. Electrospun Azo‐Cellulose Fabric: A Smart Polysaccharidic Photo‐actuator. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200063. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Issei Otsuka
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV Grenoble 38000 France
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6
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Zhou Y, Wang L, Ma S, Zhang H. Fully Room-Temperature Reprogrammable, Reprocessable, and Photomobile Soft Actuators from a High-Molecular-Weight Main-Chain Azobenzene Crystalline Poly(ester-amide). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:3264-3273. [PMID: 34991314 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c18647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Azobenzene (azo) polymer photoactuators with full room-temperature reprogrammability, reprocessability, and photomobility are highly desirable for large-scale applications, but their development remains a daunting challenge. Herein, a strategy is first presented for fabricating such advanced photoactuators from a high-molecular-weight main-chain azo crystalline poly(ester-amide) (PEA) prepared via Michael addition polymerization. This azo PEA can be readily processed into both physically cross-linked, uniaxially oriented fibers and films with high mechanical robustness and reversible photoinduced bending/unbending at room temperature. Importantly, the presence of both amide unit-induced hydrogen bonding and crystalline domains in such films and fibers endows them with dynamic, yet stable cross-linking points, which enable their easy reprogrammability under strain at room temperature into various three-dimensional (3D) shapes (e.g., film helicoid and spiral ribbon, fiber spring) capable of showing completely different shape-dependent photomobile modes. In particular, these reshaped photoactuators can maintain their accurate 3D shapes and highly reversible photoinduced motions even after being kept at 80 °C for 20 days or at 100 °C for 2 days. They can also be reprocessed and recycled from solution at room temperature. Such a multifunctional main-chain azo crystalline PEA can serve as a versatile platform for fabricating various photoactuators with desired 3D shapes and motion modes under mild ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shengkui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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7
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Zhou Y, Wang L, Zhang H. Enhancing the performances of physically cross-linked photodeformable main-chain azobenzene poly(ester-amide)s via chemical structure engineering. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00492e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of physically cross-linked photodeformable main-chain azobenzene poly(ester-amide)s with enhanced performances via chemical structure engineering and obtention of their detailed structure–property relationship are first described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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8
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Zhang H. Reprocessable Photodeformable Azobenzene Polymers. Molecules 2021; 26:4455. [PMID: 34361608 PMCID: PMC8347682 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Photodeformable azobenzene (azo) polymers are a class of smart polymers that can efficiently convert light energy into mechanical power, holding great promise in various photoactuating applications. They are typically of crosslinked polymer networks with highly oriented azo mesogens embedded inside. Upon exposure to the light of appropriate wavelength, they experience dramatic order parameter change following the configuration change of the azo units. This could result in the generation and accumulation of the gradient microscopic photomechanical force in the crosslinked polymer networks, thus leading to their macroscopic deformation. So far, a great number of photodeformable azo polymers have been developed, including some unoriented ones showing photodeformation based on different mechanisms. Among them, photodeformable azo polymers with dynamic crosslinking networks (and some uncrosslinked ones) have aroused particular interest recently because of their obvious advantages over those with stable chemical crosslinking structures such as high recyclability and reprocessability. In this paper, I provide a detailed overview of the recent progress in such reprocessable photodeformable polymers. In addition, some challenges and perspectives are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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9
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Zheng Q, Xu C, Jiang Z, Zhu M, Chen C, Fu F. Smart Actuators Based on External Stimulus Response. Front Chem 2021; 9:650358. [PMID: 34136462 PMCID: PMC8200850 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.650358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Smart actuators refer to integrated devices that are composed of smart and artificial materials, and can provide actuation and dampening capabilities in response to single/multi external stimuli (such as light, heat, magnetism, electricity, humidity, and chemical reactions). Due to their capability of dynamically sensing and interaction with complex surroundings, smart actuators have attracted increasing attention in different application fields, such as artificial muscles, smart textiles, smart sensors, and soft robots. Among these intelligent material, functional hydrogels with fiber structure are of great value in the manufacture of smart actuators. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in stimuli-responsive actuators based on functional materials. We emphasized the important role of functional nano-material-based additives in the preparation of the stimulus response materials, then analyzed the driving response medium, the preparation method, and the performance of different stimuli responses in detail. In addition, some challenges and future prospects of smart actuators are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinchao Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenxue Xu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenlin Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China.,Science and Technology on Advanced Ceramic Fibers and Composites Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Min Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanfan Fu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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10
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Cervera-Procas R, Serrano JL, Omenat A. A Highly Versatile Polymer Network Based on Liquid Crystalline Dendrimers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115740. [PMID: 34072169 PMCID: PMC8198346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly functional macromolecules with a well-defined architecture are the key to designing efficient and smart materials, and these polymeric systems can be tailored for specific applications in a diverse range of fields. Herein, the formation of a new liquid crystalline polymeric network based on the crosslinking of dendrimeric entities by the CuI-catalyzed variant of the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and alkynes to afford 1,2,3-triazoles is reported. The polymeric material obtained in this way is easy to process and exhibits a variety of properties, which include mesomorphism, viscoelastic behavior, and thermal contraction. The porous microstructure of the polymer network determines its capability to absorb solvent molecules and to encapsulate small molecules, like organic dyes, which can be released easily afterwards. Moreover, all these properties may be easily tuned by modifying the chemical structure of the constituent dendrimers, which makes this system a very interesting one for a number of applications.
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11
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Zhang P, Lan Z, Wei J, Yu Y. Photodeformable Azobenzene-Containing Polyimide with Flexible Linkers and Molecular Alignment. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:469-475. [PMID: 35549227 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Azobenzene-containing polyimides (azo-PIs) as photodeformable materials have attracted scientific attention in view of combining photoresponse and high performance (such as excellent mechanical and thermal properties). In the previously reported photodeformation of azo-PIs, polarized blue-green light was utilized to produce concerted motion of azobenzene moieties based on the mechanism of photoinduced reorientation. Herein, we explored a designed azo-PI undergoing photodeformation upon unpolarized light irradiation. The azo-PI film aligned by the hot-stretching process exhibited fast and reversible bending behavior under alternate ultraviolet (UV) and visible (vis) light irradiation, indicating the efficient nano-to-macroscopic propagation of molecular deformation of azobenzene. Besides, the aligned azo-PI film even bent in hot water (80 °C) and hot silicone oil (100 and 120 °C) with UV light irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Zhongxu Lan
- Department of Materials Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jia Wei
- Department of Materials Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yanlei Yu
- Department of Materials Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 200433, China
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12
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Mirvakili SM, Leroy A, Sim D, Wang EN. Solar-Driven Soft Robots. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2004235. [PMID: 33898194 PMCID: PMC8061385 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202004235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive materials have been lately employed in soft robotics enabling new classes of robots that can emulate biological systems. The untethered operation of soft materials with high power light, magnetic field, and electric field has been previously demonstrated. While electric and magnetic fields can be stimulants for untethered actuation, their rapid decay as a function of distance limits their efficacy for long-range operations. In contrast, light-in the form of sunlight or collimated from an artificial source (e.g., laser, Xenon lamps)-does not decay rapidly, making it suitable for long-range excitation of untethered soft robots. In this work, an approach to harnessing sunlight for the untethered operation of soft robots is presented. By employing a selective solar absorber film and a low-boiling point (34 °C) fluid, light-operated soft robotic grippers are demonstrated, grasping and lifting objects almost 25 times the mass of the fluid in a controllable fashion. The method addresses one of the salient challenges in the field of untethered soft robotics. It precludes the use of bulky peripheral components (e.g., compressors, valves, or pressurized gas tank) and enables the untethered long-range operation of soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arny Leroy
- Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Douglas Sim
- Electrical and Computer Engineering DepartmentUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCV6T 1Z2Canada
| | - Evelyn N. Wang
- Mechanical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
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Shen Z, Chen F, Zhu X, Yong KT, Gu G. Stimuli-responsive functional materials for soft robotics. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:8972-8991. [PMID: 32901646 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01585g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Functional materials have spurred the advancement of soft robotics with the potential to perform safe interactions and adaptative functions in unstructured environments. The responses of functional materials under external stimuli lend themselves to programmable actuation and sensing, opening up new possibilities of robot design with built-in mechanical intelligence and unlocking new applications. Here, we review the development of stimuli-responsive functional materials particularly used for soft robotic systems. This review covers five representative types of soft stimuli-responsive functional materials, namely (i) dielectric elastomers, (ii) hydrogels, (iii) shape memory polymers, (iv) liquid crystal elastomers, and (v) magnetic materials, with focuses on their inherent material properties, working mechanisms, and design strategies for actuation and sensing. We also highlight the state-of-the-art applications of soft stimuli-responsive functional materials in locomotion robots, grippers and sensors. Finally, we summarize the current challenges and map out future trends for engineering next-generation functional materials for soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zequn Shen
- Robotics Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. and State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Feifei Chen
- Robotics Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. and State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhu
- Robotics Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. and State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
| | - Guoying Gu
- Robotics Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. and State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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14
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Dattler D, Fuks G, Heiser J, Moulin E, Perrot A, Yao X, Giuseppone N. Design of Collective Motions from Synthetic Molecular Switches, Rotors, and Motors. Chem Rev 2019; 120:310-433. [PMID: 31869214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Precise control over molecular movement is of fundamental and practical importance in physics, biology, and chemistry. At nanoscale, the peculiar functioning principles and the synthesis of individual molecular actuators and machines has been the subject of intense investigations and debates over the past 60 years. In this review, we focus on the design of collective motions that are achieved by integrating, in space and time, several or many of these individual mechanical units together. In particular, we provide an in-depth look at the intermolecular couplings used to physically connect a number of artificial mechanically active molecular units such as photochromic molecular switches, nanomachines based on mechanical bonds, molecular rotors, and light-powered rotary motors. We highlight the various functioning principles that can lead to their collective motion at various length scales. We also emphasize how their synchronized, or desynchronized, mechanical behavior can lead to emerging functional properties and to their implementation into new active devices and materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Dattler
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
| | - Gad Fuks
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
| | - Joakim Heiser
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
| | - Emilie Moulin
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
| | - Alexis Perrot
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
| | - Xuyang Yao
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
| | - Nicolas Giuseppone
- SAMS Research Group, Institute Charles Sadron, CNRS , University of Strasbourg , 23 rue du Loess , BP 84047, 67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2 , France
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Li S, Bai H, Shepherd RF, Zhao H. Bio‐inspired Design and Additive Manufacturing of Soft Materials, Machines, Robots, and Haptic Interfaces. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:11182-11204. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201813402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Cornell University USA
| | - Hedan Bai
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Cornell University USA
| | - Robert F. Shepherd
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Cornell University USA
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Cornell University USA
| | - Huichan Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Tsinghua University China
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16
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Li S, Bai H, Shepherd RF, Zhao H. Bioinspiriertes Design und additive Fertigung von weichen Materialien, Maschinen, Robotern und haptischen Schnittstellen. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201813402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Cornell University; USA
| | - Hedan Bai
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Cornell University; USA
| | - Robert F. Shepherd
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering; Cornell University; USA
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Cornell University; USA
| | - Huichan Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering; Tsinghua University; China
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