A Pendulum-Like Motion of Nanofiber Gel Actuator Synchronized with External Periodic pH Oscillation

Abstract

Abstract:In this study, we succeeded in manufacturing a novel nanofiber hydrogel actuator that caused a bending and stretching motion synchronized with external pH oscillation, based on a bromate/sulfite/ferrocyanide reaction. The novel nanofiber gel actuator was composed of electrospun nanofibers synthesized by copolymerizing acrylic acid and hydrophobic butyl methacrylate as a solubility control site. By changing the electrospinning flow rate, the nanofiber gel actuator introduced an anisotropic internal structure into the gel. Therefore, the unsymmetrical motion of the nanofiber actuator was generated.

Progress in the Field of Water‐ and/or Temperature‐Triggered Polymer Actuators

“…Similarly, the network collapses when the acid groups are protonated at low pH. When such hydrogel polymers or their interpenetrating networks are used as active layers in a bilayer system, actuation is controlled by pH …”

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators with Carbon Nanotube Electrodes Painted with a Soft Brush

“…Examples include pneumatic soft rubber actuators [1][2][3][4], dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) [5][6][7][8], and gel actuators [9,10]. Compared to other soft actuators, DEAs are energy efficient and power dense because they are electrostatic actuators.…”

Skins and Sleeves for Soft Robotics: Inspiration from Nature and Architecture

“…Volume changing hydrogels [8][9][10] based on water diffusion in (swelling) or out (contraction) lightly crosslinked hydrophilic microstructures under change of pH, temperature, chemical, magnetic or electrical stimulus can act as actuators but with a rather slow response due to the relatively low rate of water diffusion. Electroactive polymers [11] or carbon nanotube-containing nanocomposites [12] can reach high degrees of actuation under relatively small electric fields but these are soft materials which also exert a low actuation stress.…”