Multiple Shape Transformations of Composite Hydrogel
Sheets
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Abstract
Soft materials undergoing shape transformations
in response to
changes in ambient environment have potential applications in tissue
engineering, robotics and biosensing. Generally, stimulus-responsive
materials acquire two stable shapes corresponding to the “on”
and “off” states of the external trigger. Here, we report
a simple, yet versatile approach to induce multiple shape transformations
of a planar hydrogel sheet, each triggered by a particular, well-defined
external stimulus. The approach is based on the integration of small-scale
multiple polymer components with distinct compositions in the composite
gel sheet. In response to different stimuli, the structural components
undergo differential swelling or shrinkage, which creates internal
stresses within the composite hydrogel sheet and transforms its shape
in a specific manner