Thermoresponsive hydrogel artificial muscles

Zhang, Xi; Aziz, Shazed; Salahuddin, Bidita; Zhu, Zhonghua

doi:10.1016/j.matt.2023.05.030

Cited by 15 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 209 publications

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“…Researchers have developed artificial muscles mimicking the tropisms of helical plants, capable of self-adapting to environmental changes in humidity and temperature. These muscles, made from hierarchically patterned helically wound yarns inlaid with hydrogel, showcase rapid movement and large strokes, embodying plant-like microstructural memories for autonomous operation in real-life applications [167].…”

Section: Applications Of Decellularized Plants In Bone Tissue Enginee...mentioning

confidence: 99%

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

Barbinta-Patrascu,

Bita,

Negut

2024

Biomimetics

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This review explores the extensive applications of plants in areas of biomimetics and bioinspiration, highlighting their role in developing sustainable solutions across various fields such as medicine, materials science, and environmental technology. Plants not only serve essential ecological functions but also provide a rich source of inspiration for innovations in green nanotechnology, biomedicine, and architecture. In the past decade, the focus has shifted towards utilizing plant-based and vegetal waste materials in creating eco-friendly and cost-effective materials with remarkable properties. These materials are employed in making advancements in drug delivery, environmental remediation, and the production of renewable energy. Specifically, the review discusses the use of (nano)bionic plants capable of detecting explosives and environmental contaminants, underscoring their potential in improving quality of life and even in lifesaving applications. The work also refers to the architectural inspirations drawn from the plant world to develop novel design concepts that are both functional and aesthetic. It elaborates on how engineered plants and vegetal waste have been transformed into value-added materials through innovative applications, especially highlighting their roles in wastewater treatment and as electronic components. Moreover, the integration of plants in the synthesis of biocompatible materials for medical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds and artificial muscles demonstrates their versatility and capacity to replace more traditional synthetic materials, aligning with global sustainability goals. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current and potential uses of living plants in technological advancements, advocating for a deeper exploration of vegetal materials to address pressing environmental and technological challenges.

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Section: Applications Of Decellularized Plants In Bone Tissue Enginee...mentioning

confidence: 99%

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

Barbinta-Patrascu,

Bita,

Negut

2024

Biomimetics

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Self‐Healing Yet Strong Actuator Materials with Muscle‐Like Diastole and Contraction via Multilevel Relaxations

Huang,

Wu,

et al. 2024

Advanced Materials

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Skeletal muscles represent a role model in soft robotics featuring agile locomotion and incredible mechanical robustness. However, existing actuators lack an optimal combination of actuation parameters (including actuation modes, work capacity, mechanical strength, and damage repair) to rival biological tissues. Here, a biomimetic structural design strategy via multilevel relaxations (α/β/γ/δ‐relaxation) modulation is proposed for mechanical robust and healable actuator materials with muscle‐like diastole and contraction abilities by orientational alignment of dendritic polyphenol‐modified nano‐assembles in eutectogels. The anisotropic hierarchical micro‐nanostructures assembled by supramolecular interaction mimic the relative slippage of actin filaments and myosin in muscles, ensuring bistable actuation through rapid thermal α‐relaxation and expansion. Furthermore, kinetically active secondary β/γ/δ‐relaxation at reconfigurable interfaces can conquer the limited self‐healing ability of fixed‐orientation polymeric chains. The obtained artificial muscle exhibits high output actuation, robust mechanical properties (tensile strength of 33.5 MPa), and desired functional, mechanical self‐healing efficiency (89.7%), exceeding typical natural muscles in living systems. The bionic micro‐nano design strategy achieves bottom‐up cooperative relaxation modulation to integrate all‐round performance of natural muscles, which paves the way for substantial advancements in next‐generation intelligent robotics.

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Hydrogel Fibers‐Based Biointerfacing

Chen,

Feng,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Advanced Materials

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The unique 1D structure of fibers offers intriguing attributes, including a high length‐to‐diameter ratio, miniatured size, light‐weight, and flexibility, making them suitable for various biomedical applications, such as health monitoring, disease treatment, and minimally invasive surgeries. However, traditional fiber devices, typically composed of rigid, dry, and non‐living materials, are intrinsically different from the soft, wet, and living essence of biological tissues, thereby posing grand challenges for long‐term, reliable, and seamless interfacing with biological systems. Hydrogel fibers have recently emerged as a promising candidate, in light of their similarity to biological tissues in mechanical, chemical and biological aspects, as well as distinct fiber geometry. In this review, a comprehensive overview of recent progress in hydrogel fibers‐based biointerfacing technology is provided. It thoroughly summarizes the manufacturing strategy and functional design, especially for hydrogel fibers with distinct optical and electron conductive performance, as well as responsiveness to triggers including thermal, magnetic field and ultrasonic wave, etc. Such unique attributes enable various biomedical applications, which are also examined in detail. Future challenges and potential directions, including biosafety, long‐term reliability, sterilization, multi‐modalities integration and intelligent therapeutic systems, are raised. This review will serve as a valuable resource for further advancement and implementation as next‐generation biointerfacing technology.

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Thermoresponsive hydrogel artificial muscles

Cited by 15 publications

References 209 publications

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

From Nature to Technology: Exploring the Potential of Plant-Based Materials and Modified Plants in Biomimetics, Bionics, and Green Innovations

Self‐Healing Yet Strong Actuator Materials with Muscle‐Like Diastole and Contraction via Multilevel Relaxations

Hydrogel Fibers‐Based Biointerfacing

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