2010/08/24 by Howon Lee, Chunguang Xia, Nicholas X. Fang · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.soft
paper · pdf · doi:10.1039/c0sm00092b
published as published in Soft Matter, 2010 · 4 pages, 3 figures
arxiv created 2010/08/24 · arxiv updated 2010/08/25
Swelling-induced snap-buckling in a 3D micro hydrogel device, inspired by the insect-trapping action of Venus flytrap, makes it possible to generate astonishingly fast actuation. We demonstrate that elastic energy is effectively stored and quickly released from the device by incorporating elastic instability. Utilizing its rapid actuation speed, the device can even jump by itself upon wetting.