Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing
Abstract Inspired by counterintuitive water “swelling” ability of the hydrophobic moss of the genus Sphagnum (Peat moss), we prepared a hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel (HPH), composed of a pure hydrophobic silicone elastomer with a tailored porous structure. In contrast to conventional hydrogels, HPH ac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56291-1 |
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| author | Zhigang Wang Haotian Hu Zefan Chai Yuhang Hu Siyuan Wang Cheng Zhang Chunjie Yan Jun Wang Wesley Coll Tony Jun Huang Xianchen Xu Heng Deng |
| author_facet | Zhigang Wang Haotian Hu Zefan Chai Yuhang Hu Siyuan Wang Cheng Zhang Chunjie Yan Jun Wang Wesley Coll Tony Jun Huang Xianchen Xu Heng Deng |
| author_sort | Zhigang Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Inspired by counterintuitive water “swelling” ability of the hydrophobic moss of the genus Sphagnum (Peat moss), we prepared a hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel (HPH), composed of a pure hydrophobic silicone elastomer with a tailored porous structure. In contrast to conventional hydrogels, HPH achieves absorption-induced volume expansion through surface tension induced elastocapillarity, presenting an unexpected absorption-induced volume expansion capability in hydrophobic matrices. We adopt a theoretical framework elucidating the interplay of surface tension induced elastocapillarity, providing insights into the absorption-induced volume expansion behavior. By systematically programming the pore structure, we demonstrate tunable, anisotropic, and programmable absorption-induced expansion. This leads to dedicated self-shaping transformations. Incorporating magnetic particles, we engineer HPH-based soft robots capable of swimming, rolling, and walking. This study demonstrates a unusual approach to achieve water-responsive behavior in hydrophobic materials, expanding the possibilities for programmable shape-morphing in soft materials and soft robotic applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e02208608fe14f5894c70193a6601795 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-e02208608fe14f5894c70193a66017952025-01-26T12:42:42ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-01-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-56291-1Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphingZhigang Wang0Haotian Hu1Zefan Chai2Yuhang Hu3Siyuan Wang4Cheng Zhang5Chunjie Yan6Jun Wang7Wesley Coll8Tony Jun Huang9Xianchen Xu10Heng Deng11Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of GeosciencesUnmanned System Research Institute, Northwestern Polytechnical UniversityFaculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of GeosciencesFaculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of GeosciencesCollege of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityCollege of Engineering, Nanjing Agricultural UniversityFaculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of GeosciencesUnmanned System Research Institute, Northwestern Polytechnical UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke UniversityDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Duke UniversityFaculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of GeosciencesAbstract Inspired by counterintuitive water “swelling” ability of the hydrophobic moss of the genus Sphagnum (Peat moss), we prepared a hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel (HPH), composed of a pure hydrophobic silicone elastomer with a tailored porous structure. In contrast to conventional hydrogels, HPH achieves absorption-induced volume expansion through surface tension induced elastocapillarity, presenting an unexpected absorption-induced volume expansion capability in hydrophobic matrices. We adopt a theoretical framework elucidating the interplay of surface tension induced elastocapillarity, providing insights into the absorption-induced volume expansion behavior. By systematically programming the pore structure, we demonstrate tunable, anisotropic, and programmable absorption-induced expansion. This leads to dedicated self-shaping transformations. Incorporating magnetic particles, we engineer HPH-based soft robots capable of swimming, rolling, and walking. This study demonstrates a unusual approach to achieve water-responsive behavior in hydrophobic materials, expanding the possibilities for programmable shape-morphing in soft materials and soft robotic applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56291-1 |
| spellingShingle | Zhigang Wang Haotian Hu Zefan Chai Yuhang Hu Siyuan Wang Cheng Zhang Chunjie Yan Jun Wang Wesley Coll Tony Jun Huang Xianchen Xu Heng Deng Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing Nature Communications |
| title | Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing |
| title_full | Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing |
| title_fullStr | Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing |
| title_short | Bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo-hydrogel for programmable shape-morphing |
| title_sort | bioinspired hydrophobic pseudo hydrogel for programmable shape morphing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56291-1 |
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