Smart Actuators Based on External Stimulus Response

Qinchao Zheng; Chenxue Xu; Zhenlin Jiang; Zhenlin Jiang; Min Zhu; Chen Chen; Fanfan Fu

doi:10.3389/fchem.2021.650358

Frontiers in Chemistry (May 2021)

Smart Actuators Based on External Stimulus Response

Qinchao Zheng,
Chenxue Xu,
Zhenlin Jiang,
Zhenlin Jiang,
Min Zhu,
Chen Chen,
Fanfan Fu

Affiliations

Qinchao Zheng: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
Chenxue Xu: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
Zhenlin Jiang: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
Zhenlin Jiang: Science and Technology on Advanced Ceramic Fibers and Composites Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, China
Min Zhu: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
Chen Chen: College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Research Center for Advanced Mirco- and Nano-Fabrication Materials, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
Fanfan Fu: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2021.650358
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9

Abstract

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Smart actuators refer to integrated devices that are composed of smart and artificial materials, and can provide actuation and dampening capabilities in response to single/multi external stimuli (such as light, heat, magnetism, electricity, humidity, and chemical reactions). Due to their capability of dynamically sensing and interaction with complex surroundings, smart actuators have attracted increasing attention in different application fields, such as artificial muscles, smart textiles, smart sensors, and soft robots. Among these intelligent material, functional hydrogels with fiber structure are of great value in the manufacture of smart actuators. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in stimuli-responsive actuators based on functional materials. We emphasized the important role of functional nano-material-based additives in the preparation of the stimulus response materials, then analyzed the driving response medium, the preparation method, and the performance of different stimuli responses in detail. In addition, some challenges and future prospects of smart actuators are reported.

Published in Frontiers in Chemistry

ISSN: 2296-2646 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/chemistry

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