可3D打印的坚固水凝胶执行器

摘要(中文译文)

自然界能够自主驱动其许多结构以响应环境条件的变化。受自然启发，研究人员开发了基于刺激响应水凝胶的驱动器，无需外部能源即可无线运作。利用水凝胶可调控的溶胀行为，这些系统能够以弯曲、扭转、折叠甚至运动的形式进行驱动。然而，要使这些材料在广泛的应用中有效发挥作用，其力学性能——尤其是刚度和韧性——必须得到提升，以增加其驱动力和运行可靠性。解决水凝胶驱动器中的这些力学性能挑战，将使其更接近于再现自然界中所观察到的力学韧性、回弹性和驱动能力的卓越组合。本综述概述了水凝胶的已有增韧策略，并重点介绍了将其增材制造为具有明确结构和局部变化组成的驱动器的进展。最后，简要展望了将自修复或改进的抗疲劳性能纳入驱动系统后所可能带来的潜在机遇。

Abstract

Nature autonomously actuates many of its structures in response to changes in environmental conditions. Inspired by nature, stimuli-responsive hydrogel-based actuators that wirelessly operate without external energy sources have been developed. By exploiting the tunable swelling behavior of hydrogels, these systems can actuate in the form of bending, twisting, folding, and even locomotion. However, for these materials to function effectively across a broad range of applications, their mechanical properties - especially their stiffness and toughness - must be improved to increase their actuation force and operational reliability. Addressing these mechanical performance challenges in hydrogel-based actuators would bring them closer to replicating the remarkable combination of mechanical toughness, resilience, and actuation observed in nature. This review outlines established toughening strategies for hydrogels and highlights advances in their additive manufacturing into actuators with well-defined structures and locally varying compositions. It concludes with a brief outlook on potential opportunities that arise if self-healing or improved fatigue resistance are incorporated into actuating systems.

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