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Article
A mechano-diffusion characterization platform for probing strain-programmable nanoparticle diffusion in hydrogels
Nanoparticle diffusion is a fundamental process that ubiquitously exists in life science and engineering technology. Recent studies demonstrate the potential of harnessing mechanical deformation to program nan...
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Article
Open AccessReversible two-way tuning of thermal conductivity in an end-linked star-shaped thermoset
Polymeric thermal switches that can reversibly tune and significantly enhance their thermal conductivities are desirable for diverse applications in electronics, aerospace, automotives, and medicine; however, ...
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Article
Open AccessControl of polymers’ amorphous-crystalline transition enables miniaturization and multifunctional integration for hydrogel bioelectronics
Soft bioelectronic devices exhibit motion-adaptive properties for neural interfaces to investigate complex neural circuits. Here, we develop a fabrication approach through the control of metamorphic polymers’ ...
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Article
Fatigue-resistant hydrogel optical fibers enable peripheral nerve optogenetics during locomotion
We develop soft and stretchable fatigue-resistant hydrogel optical fibers that enable optogenetic modulation of peripheral nerves in naturally behaving animals during persistent locomotion. The formation of po...
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Article
A soft neuroprosthetic hand providing simultaneous myoelectric control and tactile feedback
Neuroprosthetic hands are typically heavy (over 400 g) and expensive (more than US$10,000), and lack the compliance and tactile feedback of human hands. Here, we report the design, fabrication and performance ...
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Article
Open AccessSporopollenin-inspired design and synthesis of robust polymeric materials
Sporopollenin is a mechanically robust and chemically inert biopolymer that constitutes the outer protective exine layer of plant spores and pollen grains. Recent investigation of the molecular structure of pi...
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Article
Nanostructured artificial-muscle fibres
Artificial-muscle fibres mimic the ordered nanostructures in natural-muscle fibres to achieve promising mechanical and actuation properties.
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Article
Open AccessFatigue-resistant adhesion of hydrogels
The adhesion of soft connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, and cartilages) on bones in many animals can maintain high toughness (∽800 J m−2) over millions of cycles of mechanical loads. Such fatigue-resistant a...
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Article
Open AccessPure PEDOT:PSS hydrogels
Hydrogels of conducting polymers, particularly poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), provide a promising electrical interface with biological tissues for sensing and stimulation...
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Article
Open AccessIngestible hydrogel device
Devices that interact with living organisms are typically made of metals, silicon, ceramics, and plastics. Implantation of such devices for long-term monitoring or treatment generally requires invasive procedu...
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Article
Tough and tunable adhesion of hydrogels: experiments and models
As polymer networks infiltrated with water, hydrogels are major constituents of animal and plant bodies and have diverse engineering applications. While natural hydrogels can robustly adhere to other biologica...
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Article
Open AccessHydraulic hydrogel actuators and robots optically and sonically camouflaged in water
Sea animals such as leptocephali develop tissues and organs composed of active transparent hydrogels to achieve agile motions and natural camouflage in water. Hydrogel-based actuators that can imitate the capa...
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Article
Tough bonding of hydrogels to diverse non-porous surfaces
A hydrogel-design strategy achieves transparent and conductive bonding of synthetic hydrogels to a variety of non-porous surfaces, with interfacial toughness values over 1,000 J m−2.
