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Bin Asghar Abbasi B, Gigliotti M, Aloko S, Jolfaei MA, Spinks GM, Jiang Z. Designing strong, fast, high-performance hydrogel actuators. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023. [PMID: 37194593 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc01545a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel actuators displaying programmable shape transformations are particularly attractive for integration into future soft robotics with safe human-machine interactions. However, these materials are still in their infancy, and many significant challenges remain presenting impediments to their practical implementation, including poor mechanical properties, slow actuation speed and limited actuation performance. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in hydrogel designs to address these critical limitations. First, the material design concepts to improve mechanical properties of hydrogel actuators will be introduced. Examples are also included to highlight strategies to realize fast actuation speed. In addition, recent progress about creating strong and fast hydrogel actuators are sumarized. Finally, a discussion of different methods to realize high values in several aspects of actuation performance metrics for this class of materials is provided. The advances and challenges discussed in this highlight could provide useful guidelines for rational design to manipulate the properties of hydrogel actuators toward widespread real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burhan Bin Asghar Abbasi
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Matthew Gigliotti
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Sinmisola Aloko
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Maryam Adavoudi Jolfaei
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Geoffrey M Spinks
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Zhen Jiang
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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Weymann A, Foroughi J, Vardanyan R, Punjabi PP, Schmack B, Aloko S, Spinks GM, Wang CH, Arjomandi Rad A, Ruhparwar A. Artificial Muscles and Soft Robotic Devices for Treatment of End-Stage Heart Failure. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2207390. [PMID: 36269015 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202207390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Medical soft robotics constitutes a rapidly developing field in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, with a promising future for millions of patients suffering from heart failure worldwide. Herein, the present state and future direction of artificial muscle-based soft robotic biomedical devices in supporting the inotropic function of the heart are reviewed, focusing on the emerging electrothermally artificial heart muscles (AHMs). Artificial muscle powered soft robotic devices can mimic the action of complex biological systems such as heart compression and twisting. These artificial muscles possess the ability to undergo complex deformations, aiding cardiac function while maintaining a limited weight and use of space. Two very promising candidates for artificial muscles are electrothermally actuated AHMs and biohybrid actuators using living cells or tissue embedded with artificial structures. Electrothermally actuated AHMs have demonstrated superior force generation while creating the prospect for fully soft robotic actuated ventricular assist devices. This review will critically analyze the limitations of currently available devices and discuss opportunities and directions for future research. Last, the properties of the cardiac muscle are reviewed and compared with those of different materials suitable for mechanical cardiac compression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Weymann
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Javad Foroughi
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Library Rd, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Robert Vardanyan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Prakash P Punjabi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, 72 Du Cane Rd, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Bastian Schmack
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
| | - Sinmisola Aloko
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Geoffrey M Spinks
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Chun H Wang
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Library Rd, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Arian Arjomandi Rad
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Imperial College Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Arjang Ruhparwar
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45122, Essen, Germany
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Jiang Z, Abbasi BBA, Aloko S, Mokhtari F, Spinks GM. Ultra-soft Organogel Artificial Muscles Exhibiting High Power Density, Large Stroke, Fast Response and Long-Term Durability in Air. Adv Mater 2023:e2210419. [PMID: 37094185 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202210419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Polymeric gel-based artificial muscles exhibiting tissue-matched Young's modulus (10 Pa-1 MPa) promise to be core components in future soft machines with inherently safe human-machine interactions. However, the ability to simultaneously generate fast, large, high-power and long-lasting actuation in the open-air environment, has yet been demonstrated in this class of ultra-soft materials. Herein, to overcome this hurdle, we report the design and synthesis of a twisted and coiled liquid crystalline glycerol-organogel (TCLCG). Such material with a low Young's modulus of 133 kPa can surpass the actuation performance of skeletal muscles in a variety of aspects, including actuation strain (66%), actuation rate (275%/s), power density (438 kW/m3 ) and work capacity (105 kJ/m3 ). Notably, its power density is 14 times higher than the record of state-of-the-art polymeric gels. No actuation performance degradation is detected in the TCLCG even after air exposure for 7 days, owing to the excellent water retention ability enabled by glycerol as co-solvent with water. Using TCLCG, we have successfully demonstrated mobile soft robots with extraordinary maneuverability in unstructured environments, including a crawler showing fast bidirectional locomotion (0.50 mm/s) in a small-confined space, and a roller that can escape after deep burying in sand. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jiang
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Burhan Bin Asghar Abbasi
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Sinmisola Aloko
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Fatemeh Mokhtari
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Geoffrey M Spinks
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
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