Electronically programmable, reversible shape change in two- and three-dimensional hydrogel structures.

Yu, Cunjiang; Duan, Zheng; Yuan, Peixi; Li, Yuhang; Su, Yewang; Zhang, Xun; Pan, Yuping; Dai, Lenore L et al. · Adv Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Combining compliant electrode arrays in open-mesh constructs with hydrogels yields a class of soft actuator, capable of complex, programmable changes in shape. The results include materials strategies, integration approaches, and mechanical/thermal analysis of heater meshes embedded in thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) hydrogels with forms ranging from 2D sheets to 3D hemispherical shells.

Medical subject headings