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Three-dimensional shape transformations of hydrogel sheets induced by small-scale modulation of internal stresses

Author

Listed:
  • Zi Liang Wu

    (University of Toronto)

  • Michael Moshe

    (The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University)

  • Jesse Greener

    (University of Toronto)

  • Heloise Therien-Aubin

    (University of Toronto)

  • Zhihong Nie

    (University of Maryland)

  • Eran Sharon

    (The Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University)

  • Eugenia Kumacheva

    (University of Toronto
    University of Toronto
    Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto)

Abstract

Although Nature has always been a common source of inspiration in the development of artificial materials, only recently has the ability of man-made materials to produce complex three-dimensional (3D) structures from two-dimensional sheets been explored. Here we present a new approach to the self-shaping of soft matter that mimics fibrous plant tissues by exploiting small-scale variations in the internal stresses to form three-dimensional morphologies. We design single-layer hydrogel sheets with chemically distinct, fibre-like regions that exhibit differential shrinkage and elastic moduli under the application of external stimulus. Using a planar-to-helical three-dimensional shape transformation as an example, we explore the relation between the internal architecture of the sheets and their transition to cylindrical and conical helices with specific structural characteristics. The ability to engineer multiple three-dimensional shape transformations determined by small-scale patterns in a hydrogel sheet represents a promising step in the development of programmable soft matter.

Suggested Citation

  • Zi Liang Wu & Michael Moshe & Jesse Greener & Heloise Therien-Aubin & Zhihong Nie & Eran Sharon & Eugenia Kumacheva, 2013. "Three-dimensional shape transformations of hydrogel sheets induced by small-scale modulation of internal stresses," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2549
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2549
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    Cited by:

    1. Feilong Zhang & Dong Li & Changxian Wang & Zhihua Liu & Man Yang & Zequn Cui & Junqi Yi & Ming Wang & Ying Jiang & Zhisheng Lv & Shutao Wang & Huajian Gao & Xiaodong Chen, 2022. "Shape morphing of plastic films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Chujun Ni & Di Chen & Xin Wen & Binjie Jin & Yi He & Tao Xie & Qian Zhao, 2023. "High speed underwater hydrogel robots with programmable motions powered by light," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Yue Zhang & Kangkang Liu & Tao Liu & Chujun Ni & Di Chen & Jiamei Guo & Chang Liu & Jian Zhou & Zheng Jia & Qian Zhao & Pengju Pan & Tao Xie, 2021. "Differential diffusion driven far-from-equilibrium shape-shifting of hydrogels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.

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