Multiple configuration transitions of soft actuators under single external stimulus

Cao，Yanlin1,2; Feng，Xianke3; Wang，Shuang4; Li，Qi1; Li，Xiying1; Li，Hongyuan1,2; Hong，Wei3; Duan，Huiling1,2; Lv，Pengyu1

2022

10.1039/d2sm01058e

Soft Matter   Impact Factor & Quartile

1744-683X

1744-6848

Soft actuators have a wide range of applications in medical instruments, soft robotics, 3D electronics, and deployable structures, where configuration transitions are crucial for their function realization. However, most soft actuators can only morph from the initial configuration directly to the final configuration under a single external stimulus. Herein, we report a novel soft actuator by 3D printing parallel strips with crescent cross-sections onto a thin PDMS film. Multiple configuration transitions are observed when the soft actuator swells in ethyl acetate. Four factors, i.e., the geometric asymmetry of the strips, the fabrication-induced heterogeneity of the film, the differential swelling ratios of the strips and the film, and the geometric parameters of the actuator, are demonstrated to synergistically regulate the multiple configuration transitions of the actuator. Particularly, the underlying mechanisms for the configuration transitions are systematically investigated through experiments and theoretical analysis, and verified via finite element simulation. Benefitting from the multiple configuration transitions, the grasp-release-re-grab function of the actuator is demonstrated under a single stimulus. This work contributes to fundamental understanding of the morphing behaviors and the novel design of soft actuators.

SCI

English

Others

WOS:000880674500001

2-s2.0-85142280609

Scopus

1.State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex Systems,Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science,BIC-ESAT,College of Engineering,Peking University,Beijing,100871,China
2.CAPT,HEDPS and IFSA Collaborative Innovation Center of MoE,Peking University,Beijing,100871,China
3.Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,Guangdong,518055,China
4.School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences,Nanjing Tech University,Nanjing,211816,China

Cao，Yanlin,Feng，Xianke,Wang，Shuang,et al. Multiple configuration transitions of soft actuators under single external stimulus[J]. Soft Matter,2022.

Cao，Yanlin.,Feng，Xianke.,Wang，Shuang.,Li，Qi.,Li，Xiying.,...&Lv，Pengyu.(2022).Multiple configuration transitions of soft actuators under single external stimulus.Soft Matter.

Cao，Yanlin,et al."Multiple configuration transitions of soft actuators under single external stimulus".Soft Matter (2022).