Soft
robotics
has
undergone
considerable
progress
driven
by
materials
that
can
effectively
transduce
external
stimuli
into
mechanical
actuation.
Here,
we
report
the
development
of
a
photothermal-responsive
hydrogel
actuator
with
shape
memory
capabilities
inspired
adaptive
locomotion
sea
cucumbers.
This
is
based
on
cucumber
peptides
(SCP)
and
liquid
metal
(LM)
network
responsive
to
near-infrared
(NIR)
light.
Upon
NIR
irradiation,
undergoes
phase
transition
from
swollen
collapsed
state,
resulting
in
controlled
volumetric
change.
Incorporating
polymer
(SMP)
matrix
facilitates
actuator's
retention
its
deformed
configuration
following
stimulus
removal,
thereby
enabling
intricate,
multiphase
transformations.
SCP/LM
overcomes
limitations
traditional
hydrogels
achieves
good
stretchability
(3,000%)
enough
adhesion
(21
kPa),
exhibiting
no
toxicity
human
cells.
Furthermore,
exhibited
significant
bending
complex
deformation
within
100
s
exposure.
offers
new
opportunities
for
soft
biomedical
applications,
showcasing
potential
pathway
incorporating
next
generation
smart
devices.
Molecules,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
30(4), P. 973 - 973
Published: Feb. 19, 2025
Electrochromic
(EC)
technology
has
become
one
of
the
smart
technologies
with
most
potential
for
development
and
application
at
this
stage.
Based
on
electrochromic
devices
(ECDs),
shown
extraordinary
in
fields
windows,
display
devices,
sensing
systems.
With
optimization
iteration
various
core
components
ECDs,
electrolyte
layer,
a
key
component,
evolved
from
its
initial
liquid
state
to
quasi-solid
solid
state.
As
driven
by
increasing
demands,
trend
indicates
that
all-solid-state,
transparent
electrolytes
will
likely
future
form
layer.
Recently,
ionic
(IL)-based
field
electrochromism
attracted
lot
attention
due
their
ability
bring
outstanding
EC
cycling
stability,
thermal
wider
operating
voltage
range
they
are
regarded
as
new
generation
materials
application.
Although
compared
conventional
electrolytes,
IL-based
have
characteristics
high
price,
viscosity,
low
conductivity,
still
considered
promising
applications.
However,
so
far,
there
been
lack
comprehensive
analysis
reports
“Research
progress
liquid-based
devices”
within
field.
In
article,
research
ECDs
be
summarized
three
perspectives:
liquid,
quasi-solid,
The
directions
discussed.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 28, 2025
Abstract
The
application
of
self‐healing
superhydrophobic
triboelectric
nanogenerators
(TENGs)
is
currently
limited
by
their
poor
wear
resistance,
which
stems
from
reliance
on
nano/microscale
hierarchical
structures.
Drawing
inspiration
corals,
this
study
presents
the
development
ultra‐wear‐resistant
TENGs
with
sub‐zero
temperature
capability
(USSS‐TENGs)
incorporating
rationally
designed
hydrophobic
polyurethane
(SFPU)
and
poly(vinylidene
fluoride)
nanoparticles
(PVDF
NPs)
into
iron
foams.
rigid
protruding
structures
foams
protect
incorporated
SFPU–PVDF
NPs
composites
preferentially
making
contact
bearing
stress
foreign
objects.
This
innovative
design
enables
USSS‐TENGs
to
maintain
superhydrophobicity
after
repeated
sandpaper
abrasion,
knife
scratching,
even
car
transit,
demonstrating
a
superior
resistance
compared
other
materials.
Furthermore,
driven
free
energy
minimization,
migration
SFPU
damaged
areas
self‐heal
at
−30
°C,
underwater,
in
vacuum.
Owing
outstanding
superhydrophobicity,
show
great
potential
as
smart
roofs
floor
tiles,
capable
providing
stable
durable
electricity
generation
processes
such
precipitation,
human
walking/jumping,
vehicle
movement.
has
not
been
previously
reported
for
TENGs,
irrespective
properties.
Thermosetting
materials
exhibit
advantages
such
as
dimensional
stability
and
elasticity
but
lack
reprocessability
due
to
their
permanently
cross-linked
internal
structure.
Introducing
a
reversible
network
endows
with
often
compromises
resilience
mechanical
properties.
Hence,
it
is
still
significant
challenge
develop
recyclable
elastomers
high
traditional
thermosetting
remolding
ability
thermoplastic
materials.
Based
on
this,
this
work
incorporates
both
irreversible
networks
into
polyurethane
system,
constructing
synergistic
distinct
properties
achieve
simultaneously.
In
addition,
by
adjusting
the
proportion
of
networks,
relationship
between
in
different
was
investigated,
revealing
effect
dynamic
chemical
network.
This
provides
theoretical
support
for
design
elastomer
that
combine
thermoset
Small,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 27, 2025
Ionic
polyurethanes
with
excellent
properties
have
garnered
significant
attention
in
flexible
wearables.
However,
it
is
still
challenging
to
achieve
ionic
polyurethane
ionotronics
both
mechanical
and
functionalization.
Here,
a
series
of
hydroxypropyl
viologen
(HDPV)
cationic-based
supramolecular
tunable
strength
(7.6-76.6
MPa),
toughness
(29.1-285.3
MJ
m-3),
elongation
(499.8%-1102.3%)
are
developed
by
balancing
HDPV
cations
dynamic
sextuple
hydrogen
bonds
into
the
polyurethane.
Dynamic
modulation
electrochromic
can
be
achieved
adjusting
content
bonds.
Strong
electrostatic
interactions
between
liquid
resulted
preparation
ionogels
pressure/strain
temperature
sensing
properties.
Additionally,
benefiting
from
redox
polycationic
backbone,
devices
fabricated
demonstrated
high
range
79.1%,
certain
degree
color
memory
effect,
cycling
stability.
Shape
customization
3D
printing
technology.
The
study
paves
new
avenue
for
fabrication
visual
stability
versatility.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 7, 2025
Abstract
Dynamic
cross‐linking
waterborne
polyurethanes
(DCWPU)
are
gaining
increasing
attention
for
their
great
potential
in
soft
materials,
flexible
sensors,
robotics,
and
bioelectronic
devices.
However,
achieving
a
facile
straightforward
design
of
strong
yet
tough,
multifunctional,
printable
DCWPU
customizable
smart
devices
is
still
challenging
this
field.
Here,
simple
versatile
visible‐light‐mediate
situ
metal‐ligand
coordination
(VSMC)
strategy
reported
to
fabricate
high‐performance
DCWPU.
This
photochemical
enables
the
rapid
controllable
release
metal
ions
from
ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid
salts,
orthogonally
triggering
classical
radical
polymerization.
The
resulting
homogeneous
metal‐coordinated
network
significantly
enhances
stretching
strain,
stress,
toughness
reversibility
further
imparts
excellent
shape
memory,
shape‐reconfigurable
self‐healing
features
when
exposed
heat
stimuli.
Moreover,
efficient
VSMC
greatly
reduces
gelation
time
under
5
s,
which
improves
its
printability
structural
design.
Leveraging
these
advanced
performances,
application
demonstrated.
work
expected
open
new
avenues
Langmuir,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 11, 2025
Inspired
by
natural
organisms,
actuators
have
shown
great
promise
for
small
swimming
robots.
However,
previous
single-stimulus-driven
studies
limited
their
effectiveness
in
complex
aquatic
environments.
In
this
study,
a
PINPAM/MWCNT
composite
actuator
was
developed.
This
can
be
controlled
both
light
and
chemical
agents
to
achieve
rapid
drift
on
the
water
surface.
It
enables
programmable
trajectory
motion
water,
capable
of
performing
maneuvers
such
as
linear
translation,
turning,
rotation,
particularly
under
infrared
light.
dovetail
configurations,
movement
control
corresponding
achieved
through
agent
actuation.
The
horn-shaped
actuator,
modeled
after
horns,
propel
transport
cargos
an
illumination.
Notably,
circular
spontaneously
traverse
U-shaped
curve
without
external
stimuli.
multistimulus-responsive
Marangoni
significantly
broadens
application
scope
miniature
actuators,
paving
new
avenues
microrobotics
inspiring
future
advancements
biomimetic
robotics.
