Self-Folding Thermo-Magnetically Responsive Soft Microgrippers

Hydrogels such as poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (pNIPAM-AAc) can be photopatterned to create a wide range of actuatable and self-folding microstructures. Mechanical motion is derived from the large and reversible swelling response of this cross-linked hydrogel in varying thermal or pH environments. This action is facilitated by their network structure and capacity for large strain. However, due to the low modulus of such hydrogels, they have limited gripping ability of relevance to surgical excision or robotic tasks such as pick-and-place. Using experiments and modeling, we design, fabricate, and characterize photopatterned, self-folding functional microgrippers that combine a swellable,…

• NO
  NIH Office of the Director

  Award: DP2-OD004346-01
• NI
  National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

  Award: R01 AR0614606
• NI
  National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

  Award: R01EB017742
• NI
  National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

  Award: R01 DE013740
• DO
  Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems

  Award: CBET-1066898