Somatosensory actuator based on stretchable conductive photothermally responsive hydrogel
Yusen Zhao, Chiao‐Yueh Lo, Lecheng Ruan, Chen-Huan Pi, Cheolgyu Kim, Yousif Alsaid, Imri Frenkel, Rossana Rico, Tsu‐Chin Tsao, Ximin He
Abstract
-fold enhancement) and mechanical robustness, featuring high stretchability (170%), large volume shrinkage (49%), and 30-fold faster response than conventional hydrogels. With the unique compositional homogeneity of the monolithic material, our hydrogels overcame a limitation of conventional physically integrated sensory actuator systems with interface constraints and predefined functions. The two-in-one functional hydrogel demonstrated both exteroception to perceive the environment and proprioception to kinesthetically sense its deformations in real time, while actuating with near-infinite degrees of freedom. We have demonstrated a variety of light-driven locomotion including contraction, bending, shape recognition, object grasping, and transporting with simultaneous self-monitoring. When connected to a control circuit, the muscle-like material achieved closed-loop feedback controlled, reversible step motion. This material design can also be applied to liquid crystal elastomers.