Tendril-Inspired Programmable Soft Actuator Based on Bilayer Thermoplastic Film

Abstract

Recently, soft actuators with biomimetic performance have attracted tremendous attention because of their promising applications. Unfortunately, it still remains a huge challenge to fabricate soft actuators based on thermoplastics by a facile, continuous and environmentally friendly method. Herein, thermoplastic film with bilayer architecture was designed and fabricated by bilayer-coextrusion blow film molding. Based on the as-prepared bilayer thermoplastic film, a helical soft actuator with thermal stimulus response performance was further developed. Such actuator can achieve shape-programmable performance and reversible deformation, which can act as robotic arm and lift heavy objects, highlighting its promising potential for applications in the fields of soft robots and artificial muscles. This work proposes a facile, low-cost and environmentally friendly method to fabricate bilayer soft actuator, showing tremendous potential for the widespread application of thermoplastic films.

Keywords: soft actuators, thermoplastic polymer, bilayer-coextrusion blow film molding