Untethered Soft Robots Based on 1D and 2D Nanomaterials

J Jingwen He (Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Institute of Fine Chemicals Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China) P Peng Huang B Bingjue Li (School of Mechanical Engineering Southeast University Nanjing Jiangsu 211189 P. R. China) Y Youqiang Xing (School of Mechanical Engineering Southeast University Nanjing Jiangsu 211189 P. R. China) Z Ze Wu T Tung‐Chun Lee (Institute for Materials Discovery University College London (UCL) London WC1H 0AJ UK) L Lei Liu

Abstract

Abstract Biological structures exhibit autonomous and intelligent behaviors, such as movement, perception, and responses to environmental changes, through dynamic interactions with their surroundings. Inspired by natural organisms, future soft robots are also advancing toward autonomy, sustainability, and interactivity. This review summarizes the latest achievements in untethered soft robots based on 1D and 2D nanomaterials. First, the performance of soft actuators designed with different structures is compared. Then, the development of basic locomotion forms, including crawling, jumping, swimming, rolling, gripping, and multimodal, mimicking biological motion mechanisms under dynamic stimuli, is discussed. Subsequently, various self‐sustained movements based on imbalance mechanisms under static stimuli are introduced, including light tracking, self‐oscillating, self‐crawling, self‐rolling, and flying. Following that, the progress in soft actuators integrated with additional functionalities such as sensing, energy harvesting, and storage is summarized. Finally, the challenges faced in this field and the prospects for future development are discussed.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 9
Published March 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

J

Jingwen He

Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center Institute of Fine Chemicals Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai China

P

Peng Huang

B

Bingjue Li

School of Mechanical Engineering Southeast University Nanjing Jiangsu 211189 P. R. China

Y

Youqiang Xing

School of Mechanical Engineering Southeast University Nanjing Jiangsu 211189 P. R. China

Z

Ze Wu

T

Tung‐Chun Lee

Institute for Materials Discovery University College London (UCL) London WC1H 0AJ UK

L

Lei Liu