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Botanical‐Inspired 4D Printing of Hydrogel at the Microscale
Author(s) -
Hu Yanlei,
Wang Zhongyu,
Jin Dongdong,
Zhang Chenchu,
Sun Rui,
Li Ziqin,
Hu Kai,
Ni Jincheng,
Cai Ze,
Pan Deng,
Wang Xuewen,
Zhu Wulin,
Li Jiawen,
Wu Dong,
Zhang Li,
Chu Jiaru
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201907377
Subject(s) - microscale chemistry , materials science , nanotechnology , soft robotics , morphing , drug delivery , smart material , biomedical engineering , computer science , actuator , artificial intelligence , engineering , mathematics education , mathematics
Botanical systems have evolved the intriguing ability to respond to diverse stimuli due to long‐term survival competition. Mimicking these dynamic behaviors has greatly advanced the developments in wide fields ranging from soft robotics, precision sensors to drug delivery and biomedical devices. However, realization of stimuli‐responsive components at the microscale with high response speed still remains a significant challenge. Herein, the miniature biomimetic 4D printing of pH‐responsive hydrogel is reported in spatiotemporal domain by femtosecond laser direct writing. The dimension of the printed architectures is at the microscale (<10 2 µm) and the response speed is reduced down to subsecond level (<500 ms). Shape transformation with multiple degrees of freedom is accomplished by taking advantage of pH‐triggered expansion, contraction, and torsion. Biomimetic complex shape‐morphing is enabled by adopting flexible scanning strategies. In addition, application of this 4D‐printed micro‐architecture in selective micro‐object trapping and releasing is demonstrated, showcasing its possibilities in micromanipulation, single‐cell analysis, and drug delivery.