Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials capable of changing their shapes in a predefined manner under a proper applied stimulus and have gained considerable interest in several application fields. Particularly, two-way and multiple-way SMPs offer unique opportunities to realize untethered s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inActuators Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 10
Main Author Scalet, Giulia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published MDPI AG 01.03.2020
Subjects
4d printing
multiple-way shape memory effect
shape memory polymers
soft actuators
soft robotics
two-way shape memory effect
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Summary:Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are smart materials capable of changing their shapes in a predefined manner under a proper applied stimulus and have gained considerable interest in several application fields. Particularly, two-way and multiple-way SMPs offer unique opportunities to realize untethered soft robots with programmable morphology and/or properties, repeatable actuation, and advanced multi-functionalities. This review presents the recent progress of soft robots based on two-way and multiple-way thermo-responsive SMPs. All the building blocks important for the design of such robots, i.e., the base materials, manufacturing processes, working mechanisms, and modeling and simulation tools, are covered. Moreover, examples of real-world applications of soft robots and related actuators, challenges, and future directions are discussed.
ISSN:2076-0825
2076-0825
DOI:10.3390/act9010010