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Approaches of combining a 3D-printed elastic structure and a hydrogel to create models for plant-inspired actuators

Nadia Rodriguez, Anil Bastola, Marc Behl, Patricia Soffiatti, Nick P. Rowe, Andreas Lendlein Orcid Logo

MRS Advances, Volume: 6, Issue: 25, Pages: 625 - 630

Swansea University Author: Anil Bastola

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Abstract

Inspired by the interesting functional traits of a climbing cactus, Selenicereus setaceus, found in the forest formations of Southeastern Brazil, we formulated a hypothesis that we can directly learn from the plants to develop multi-functional artificial systems by means of a multi-disciplinary appr...

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Published in: MRS Advances
ISSN: 2059-8521
Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2021
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65767
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Abstract: Inspired by the interesting functional traits of a climbing cactus, Selenicereus setaceus, found in the forest formations of Southeastern Brazil, we formulated a hypothesis that we can directly learn from the plants to develop multi-functional artificial systems by means of a multi-disciplinary approach. In this context, our approach is to take advantage of 3D-printing techniques and shape-memory hydrogels synergistically to mimic the functional traits of the cactus. This work reports on the preliminary investigation of cactus-inspired artificial systems. First, we 3D-printed soft polymeric materials and characterized them, which defines the structure and is a passive component of a multi-material system. Second, different hydrogels were synthesized and characterized, which is an active component of a multi-material system. Finally, we investigated how the hydrogel can be integrated into the 3D-printed constructs to develop artificial functional systems.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
Issue: 25
Start Page: 625
End Page: 630