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Magnetoactive bistable soft actuators for programmable large shape transformations at low magnetic fields

Author

Listed:
  • Hao Wen

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Zihao Shao

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Yuxuan Sun

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Chiyuan Ma

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Feihong Xiang

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Liangyu Xia

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Xinhui Zhu

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Xiaoxiang Li

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Liang Li

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

  • Quanliang Cao

    (Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Huazhong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

As the demand for advanced actuation strategies in soft robotics and intelligent material systems grows, magnetoactive soft actuators have attracted increasing attention for their ability to achieve flexible shape transformations through remote and untethered control. However, existing designs typically rely on continuous high magnetic fields to generate large deformations, limiting both efficiency and applicability, especially under constrained boundary conditions. Here we report a hemispherical bistable soft actuator embedded with magnetic microparticles, which enables substantial shape changes under low-intensity pulsed magnetic torques and remains stable in two configurations without external fields. We analyze the relationship between design parameters and actuator performance to clarify the bistable mechanism, and show that the actuator can achieve a large shape change ratio exceeding 0.8 under magnetic fields below 20 mT. We further demonstrate its versatility through three applications: a high-efficiency soft pump with closed-loop fluid control, a reprogrammable metamaterial, and a variable-stiffness soft gripper.

Suggested Citation

  • Hao Wen & Zihao Shao & Yuxuan Sun & Chiyuan Ma & Feihong Xiang & Liangyu Xia & Xinhui Zhu & Xiaoxiang Li & Liang Li & Quanliang Cao, 2025. "Magnetoactive bistable soft actuators for programmable large shape transformations at low magnetic fields," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64855-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64855-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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