Hofmeister-Effect-Driven Hybrid Glycerogels for Perfect Wide-Temperature Shape Fixity and Shape Recovery in Soft Robotics Applications
Journal
Small
Journal Volume
20
Journal Issue
38
Start Page
2400567
ISSN
16136829
16136810
Date Issued
2024
Author(s)
Abstract
Shape memory gels have emerged as crucial elements in soft robotics, actuators, and biomedical devices; however, several problems persist, like the trade-off between shape fixity and shape recovery, and the limited temperature range for their application. This article introduces a new class of shape memory hybrid glycerogels (GGs) designed to address these limitations. The well-modulated internal structure of the GGs, facilitated by the Hofmeister salting-out effect, strategically incorporates a higher crystallite content, abundant crosslinking points, and a high elastic modulus. Unlike reported shape memory gels, the GG exhibits a perfect triple-step shape memory behavior in air with 100% shape fixity in a wide programming temperature range (75–135 °C) and simultaneously achieves 100% shape recoverability. The gel recovers its shape at −40 °C under near-infrared light across a wide programming temperature range (25–135 °C), showing unexpected initiation even at subzero temperatures. Inspired by the mechanics of composite structures, a method is proposed to integrate the GG seamlessly with a shape memory alloy, which further expands the temperature range that yields perfect shape memory properties. Finally, two light-controlled fluttering and crawling soft robot prototypes are engineered to illustrate the versatility and potential applications of the composite gel in soft robotics.
Subjects
Shape Fixity
Shape Memory Composites
Shape Memory Glycerogels
Shape Recovery
Soft Robots
Economic And Social Effects
Gels
Infrared Devices
Robotics
Shape Optimization
Shape-memory Alloy
Hofmeister Effects
Shape Fixity
Shape Memory Composites
Shape Memory Gels
Shape Memory Glycerogel
Shape Recovery
Shape-memory
Soft Robot
Soft Robotics
Temperature Range
Recovery
Shape Memory Alloy
Article
Controlled Study
Cross Linking
Human
Hybrid
Mechanics
Memory
Respiratory Gas Humidifier
Robotics
Temperature
Young Modulus
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons Inc
Type
journal article