Photothermal modulated dielectric elastomer actuator for resilient soft robots

Abstract

Tough and healable elastomers are promising materials to realize resilient soft robots but mechanical enhancements often lead to higher stiffness that deteriorates actuation strains. Here, the authors introduce liquid metal nanoparticles into carboxyl polyurethane elastomer to sensitize a dielectric elastomer actuator with responsiveness to electric fields and NIR light.