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Programming a crystalline shape memory polymer network with thermo- and photo-reversible bonds toward a single-component soft robot

Editor£ºgroup5  Date£º2019-03-21 18:07:52   Hits:1112

The need to support the wo most basic functions [three-dimensional-shaped support and actuation] in dependently for a typical robot demands that at least two components should be used in its construction. Therefore, component assembly is unavoidable despite the ultimate dream of creating assembly-free robots. Here we devise a strategy that uses a programmable crystalline shape memory polymer with thermo-and photo-reversible bonds to create a single-component robot. The global 3D-shaped-structural support is fabricated via plasticity derived from thermo-responsive bonds and precisely controlled localized actuation can be programmed into the 3D origami structure via crosslinking of the photo-reversible bonds. The overall result is that a polymer thin film can be programmed into various soft robots including a 3D crane and an elephant. Besides reversible shape memory, other types of actuation mechanisms can be potentially introduced via a similar principle. Thus, our strategy represents a general method to create single-component soft robots. Besides reversible shape memory, other types of actuation mechanisms can be potentially introduced via a similar principle. Thus, our strategy represents a general method to create single-component soft robots.

Download link: advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/1/eaao3865


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Figure 1. The synthesis of the polymer network and mechanism of the assembly-free soft robot. (a).The chemical synthesis of the polymer network. (b).The thermally induced transesterification and transcarbamoylation and light triggered reversible dimerization. (c). Permanent shape memory reconfiguration by thermally induced solid state plasticity. (d). Reversible shape memory effect via photo triggered dimerization of the nitro-cinnamate.

 

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Figure 2: Assembly-free soft robot