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Stimuli-responsive composite biopolymer actuators with selective spatial deformation behavior
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Stimuli-responsive composite biopolymer actuators with selective spatial deformation behavior

Yushu Wang, Wenwen Huang, Yu Wang, Xuan Mu, Shengjie Ling, Haipeng Yu, Wenshuai Chen, Chengchen Guo, Matthew C. Watson, Yingjie Yu, …
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.117(25), pp.14602-14608
06/23/2020
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002996117
PMCID: PMC7322001
PMID: 32522869
url
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002996117View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Bioinspired actuators with stimuli -responsive and deformable properties are being pursued in fields such as artificial tissues, medical devices and diagnostics, and intelligent biosensors. These applications require that actuator systems have biocompatibility, controlled deformability, biodegradability, mechanical durability, and stable reversibility. Herein, we report a bionic actuator system consisting of stimuli-responsive genetically engineered silk-elastin-like protein (SELP) hydrogels and wood-derived cellulose nanofibers (CNF5), which respond to temperature and ionic strength underwater by ecofriendly methods. Programmed site-selective actuation can be predicted and folded into three-dimensional (3D) origami-like shapes. The reversible deformation performance of the SELP/CNF actuators was quantified, and complex spatial transformations of multilayer actuators were demonstrated, including a biomimetic flower design with selective petal movements. Such actuators consisting entirely of biocompatible and biodegradable materials will offer an option toward constructing stimuli-responsive systems for in vivo biomedicine soft robotics and bionic research.
Multidisciplinary Sciences Science & Technology Science & Technology - Other Topics

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