Motivated by plant muses, we fabricated composite bilayers utilizing an active electrospun filler and a passive, low molecular weight gel layer in an elastomeric matrix. Here, we discuss new insights into hygromorphic (e.g. hydration/humidity) response in these composites utilizing concepts of interfacial assembly, transport, bias, and orientation learned from plant muses. Via this approach, preferential coiling was observed with hydration, although non-uniform actuation and slow response times resulted. To overcome these challenges, we utilized aligned electrospun fibers as a handle to successfully control hydration rate and achieve predictable curvature. Recent efforts have focused on expanding this technology beyond hydration-induced actuation via the incorporation of thermoresponsive comoners towards multi-responsiveness, and to manipulate the architecture to achieve programmable shape change via new manufacturing techniques. It is anticipated that these biomimetic systems may have unique applications in therapeutic delivery and chemical/biological protection.

Lessons from pine cones: structural hierarchy and programmable actuation in bilayer systems

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.