Material assembly from collective action of shape-changing polymers

Abdelrahman, Mustafa K.; Wagner, Robert J.; Kalairaj, Manivannan Sivaperuman; Zadan, Mason; Kim, Min Hee; Jang, Lindy K.; Wang, Suitu; Javed, Mahjabeen; Dana, Asaf; Singh, Kanwar Abhay; Hargett, Sarah E.; Gaharwar, Akhilesh K.; Majidi, Carmel; Vernerey, Franck J.; Ware, Taylor H.

doi:10.1038/s41563-023-01761-4

Nat. Mater.

2024

DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01761-4

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Material assembly from collective action of shape-changing polymers

Mustafa K. Abdelrahman,

Robert J. Wagner,

Manivannan Sivaperuman Kalairaj

et al.

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Cited by 14 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 55 publications

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“…Treating simple colloids as the atoms, complex products of colloidal molecules (CMs) could be self-assembled with specific valences and directions just like atoms assembled into molecules . The colloidal atoms (CAs) with precisely controlled particle shape, composition, and surface chemistry can be arranged into customized nonspherical clusters in their own periodic table, , which makes them powerful not only as model systems to deepen the understanding of basic interaction theories but also with great application potential , in the realm of next-generation active materials like biomedicines, soft microrobots, photochromic smart windows, 4D printing, catalysis, coatings, etc. Therefore, the facile synthesis of CMs has become very significant.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Valence-Dependent Activity of Colloidal Molecules as Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors

Tian,

Xu,

Qiu

et al. 2024

ACS Macro Lett.

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Inspired by advances in cryopreservation techniques, which are essential for modern biomedical applications, there is a special interest in the ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) of the antifreeze protein (AFPs) mimics. There are in-depth studies on synthetic materials mimicking AFPs, from simple molecular structure levels to complex self-assemblies. Herein, we report the valence-dependent IRI activity of colloidal organic molecules (CMs). The CMs were prepared through polymerization-induced particle-assembly (PIPA) of the ABC-type triblock terpolymer of poly(acryloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride)-b-poly(benzyl acrylate)-b-poly(diacetone acrylamide) (PATAC-b-PBzA-b-PDAAM) at high monomer conversions. Stabilized by the cationic block of PATAC, the strong intermolecular H-bonding and incompatibility of the PDAAM block with PBzA contributed to the in situ formation of Janus particles (AX1) beyond the initial spherical seed particles (AX0), as well as the high valency clusters of linear AX2 and trigonal AX3. Their distribution was controlled mainly by the polymerization degrees (DPs) of PATAC and PDAAM blocks. IRI activity results of the CMs suggest that the higher fraction of AX1 results in the better IRI activity. Increasing the fraction of AX1 from 27% to 65% led to a decrease of the mean grain size from 39.8% to 10.9% and a depressed growth rate of ice crystals by 58%. Moreover, by replacing the PDAAM block with the temperature-responsive one of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), temperature-adjustable IRI activity was observed, which is well related to the reversible transition of AX0 to AX1, providing a new idea for the molecular design of amphiphilic polymer nanoparticle-based IRI activity materials.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Valence-Dependent Activity of Colloidal Molecules as Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors

Tian,

Xu,

Qiu

et al. 2024

ACS Macro Lett.

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Stimulation‐Reinforced Cellulose–Protein Ionogels with Superior Mechanical Strength and Temperature Resistance

Li,

Jiang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

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Ionogels, recognized for their flexibility and ionic conductivity, show considerable promise across various applications including electronic skins, biomedical electronics, and smart robotics. However, the majority of ionogels are plagued by suboptimal mechanical strength, a restricted range of operating temperatures, and poor recyclability. Here, an acetone‐stimulated supramolecular reinforcement strategy to develop robust and environmentally tolerant ionogels is introduced. The bio‐based ionogels feature a firm supramolecular architecture formed by the entwining of soybean protein molecules around cellulose macromolecular chains. This coiled design, inspired by cucumber vines, endows the ionogels with remarkable tensile strength (>30 MPa), enables them to withstand temperature above 85 °C with tensile strength over 15 MPa, and maintains notable cold resistance down to −20 °C with tensile strength exceeding 10 MPa. Further, the bio‐based ionogels exhibit excellent recyclability, reprocessing capabilities, shape customizability, good biocompatibility, and full biodegradability. This study provides a valuable strategy for manipulating supramolecular conformation to create robust ionogels that overcome the traditional trade‐offs of high strength and environmental tolerance.

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Self‐Propelled Morphing Matter for Small‐Scale Swimming Soft Robots

Huang,

Pinchin,

Lin

et al. 2024

Adv Funct Materials

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Aquatic insects have developed versatile locomotion mechanisms that have served as a source of inspiration for decades in the development of small‐scale swimming robots. However, despite recent advances in the field, efficient, untethered, and integrated powering, actuation, and control of small‐scale robots remains a challenge due to the out‐of‐equilibrium and dissipative nature of the driving physical and chemical phenomena. Here, we have designed small‐scale, bioinspired aquatic locomotors with programmable deterministic trajectories that integrate self‐propelled chemical motors and photoresponsive shape‐morphing structures. A Marangoni motor system is developed integrating structural protein networks that self‐regulate the release of chemical fuel with photochemical liquid crystal network (LCN) actuators that change their shape and deform in and out of the surface of water. While the diffusion of fuel from the motor system regulates the propulsion, the dissipative photochemical deformation of LCNs provides locomotors with control over the directionality of motion at the air‐water interface. This approach gives access to five different but interchangeable modes of locomotion within a single swimming robot via morphing of the soft structure. The proposed design, which mimics the mechanisms of surface gliding and posture change of semiaquatic insects such as water treaders, offers solutions for autonomous swimming soft robots via untethered and orthogonal power and control.

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Material assembly from collective action of shape-changing polymers

Cited by 14 publications

References 55 publications

The Valence-Dependent Activity of Colloidal Molecules as Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors

The Valence-Dependent Activity of Colloidal Molecules as Ice Recrystallization Inhibitors

Stimulation‐Reinforced Cellulose–Protein Ionogels with Superior Mechanical Strength and Temperature Resistance

Self‐Propelled Morphing Matter for Small‐Scale Swimming Soft Robots

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