Wonbin Seo1,Taylor Ware2,3,Habeom Lee1,Hyun Kim4
School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University1,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University2,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University3,4 Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology4
Wonbin Seo1,Taylor Ware2,3,Habeom Lee1,Hyun Kim4
School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University1,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University2,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University3,4 Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology4
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have attracted significant attention in soft robotics due to their salient features of programmable and reversible shape morphing with large strain. To enable untethered soft robotic actuators, optical stimuli are particularly promising for wireless and spatiotemporal operation capabilities. To consider practical performances and operating environments for soft robotics, actuators should be capable of linear actuations from dry to wet conditions. Here, we present a light-driven soft actuator by structural designing of azobenzene-functionalized LCEs (A-LCEs). The A-LCEs demonstrate a large reversible axial stoke up to 50% under wet environment, thus, provide a promising approach in underwater soft robotic applications.