Toward a new generation of electrically controllable hygromorphic soft actuators

Adv Mater. 2015 Mar 11;27(10):1668-75. doi: 10.1002/adma.201404772. Epub 2015 Jan 2.

Abstract

An innovative processing strategy for fabricating soft structures that possess electric- and humidity-driven active/passive actuation capabilities along with touch- and humidity-sensing properties is reported. The intrinsically multifunctional material comprises an active thin layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly-(styrene sulfonate) in a double-layered structure with a silicone elastomer and provides an opportunity toward developing a new class of smart structures for soft robotics.

Keywords: conducting polymers; hygromorphic materials; poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate; soft actuators; stimuli-responsive materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anisotropy
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemistry*
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / chemistry*
  • Electricity*
  • Humidity
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Optical Imaging
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Silicone Elastomers / chemistry*
  • Temperature
  • Video Recording

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • Silicone Elastomers
  • poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)
  • baysilon
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid