Multifunctional soft actuator hybrids: a review

Abstract

Stimuli material-based soft actuators is an ever-growing field, offering innovative solutions to the complex challenges of the modern world. Evolving from traditional single stimuli-responsive materials, multifunctional soft actuator hybrids have overcome previous limitations, exhibiting new potential in numerous applications and fields. This review provides initial insights into the recent developments and system integrations of stimuli-responsive polymeric soft actuators from the aspects of material development, mechanism design, and specific applications. It is elucidated that multifunctional soft actuators have versatile activation and can successfully demonstrate unrestricted movements, self-sensing, self-healing, electrochromism, and enhanced mechanical properties. Notably, from rehabilitation and surgical tools in the medical field to improvements in disaster rescue efforts, soft actuators are universally utilized and will be continuously expanding their applicability as research develops.