A soft microrobot composed of a microgel and driven by the light-controlled nonequilibrium dynamics volume changes is presented. The photothermal response microgel, containing plasmonic gold nanorods, enables fast heating/cooling dynamics. Mastering provides control complex motion, which goes beyond what has been so far reported for hydrophilic microgels. Self-propelling micro-objects or colloids are topical research subject matter microrobots as well devices that mix, sort, circulate...

Abstract Hydrogels have been designed to react many different stimuli which find broad applications in tissue engineering and soft robotics. However, polymer networks bearing mechano-responsiveness, especially those displaying on-demand self-stiffening self-softening behavior, are rarely reported. Here, we design a mechano-controlled biocatalytic system at the molecular level that is incorporated into hydrogels regulate their mechanical properties material scale. The consists of protease...

There is a growing interest in the concept of four-dimensional (4D) printing that combines three-dimensional (3D) manufacturing process with dynamic modulation for bioinspired soft materials exhibiting more complex functionality. However, conventional approaches have drawbacks low resolution, control internal micro/nanostructure, and creation fast, actuation due to lack high-resolution fabrication technology suitable photoresist materials. Here, we report an approach 4D develops actuator...

We report on a microscopic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel ribbon, coated by thin gold layer, that shows helical coiling. Confined swelling and shrinkage of the below above its characteristic volume phase transition leads to temperature actuated reversal sense helix. The extent shape winding are controlled dimensions mechanical properties bilayer ribbon. focus cylindrical helix geometry monitor morphing under equilibrium nonequilibrium conditions, is, when changes faster than...

Cubosomes are micro- and nanoparticles with a bicontinuous cubic two-phase structure, reported for the self-assembly of low molecular weight surfactants, example, lipids, but rarely formed by polymers. These objects characterized maximum continuous interface high to volume ratio, which makes them promising candidates efficient adsorbents host-guest applications. Here we demonstrate nanoscale cuboidal particles structure amphiphilic poly(ionic liquid) diblock copolymers, poly(acrylic...

The rapid development in micro-machinery enabled the investigation of smart materials that can embody fast response, programmable actuation, and flexibility to perform mechanical work. Soft magnetic actuators represent an interesting platform toward combining those properties. This study focuses on synthesis micro-actuators respond thermal stimuli using micro-molding with a soft template as fabrication technique. These microsystems consist hydrogel matrix loaded anisotropic nanospindles....

The synthesis of shape-persistent macrocycles based on the phenyl-ethynyl backbone containing various extraannular alkyl side chains is described. Although compound solubility increases with increasing size groups, decreasing solvent polarity induces aggregation rings by nonspecific interactions. This was investigated proton NMR spectroscopy. magnitude can be varied using mixtures different hexane content, supporting model a solvophobic effect. From 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene solution macrocycle...

The synthesis and characterisation of bis(terpyridine)-derived ligands which are capable forming [2x2] grid-like complexes is presented. Additional pyridine substituents on these do not interfere with the complexation process. Adsorbing one pure highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) shows a structure stabilised by additional weak intermolecular C-H...N hydrogen bonds partially through extra-pyridines as could be shown scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) investigations. Similar adsorption...

This work concerns interfacial adsorption and attachment of swollen microgel with low- to medium-level cross-linking density. Compared colloids that form a second, dispersed phase, the suspended particles are ultrahigh molecular weight molecules, which dissolved like linear polymer, so solvent solute constitute only one phase. In contrast recent literature in microgels treated as distinct surface, we consider solvent–solute interaction well based on chain segments can trains adsorbed loops...

Cells feel the forces exerted on them by surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) environment and respond to them. While many cell fate processes are dictated these forces, which highly synchronized in space time, abnormal force transduction is implicated progression of diseases (muscular dystrophy, cancer). However, material platforms that enable transient, cyclic vitro recreate an vivo-like scenario remain a challenge. Here, we report hydrogel system rapidly beats (actuates) with...

Cross-linking density and distribution are decisive for the mechanical other properties of stimuli-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels. Here we investigate structure ultra-low cross-linked microgels by static light scattering scanning force microscopy, show that they have an inverted cross-linking with respect to conventional microgels, contrary what has been assumed previously. The largest polymer volume fraction in core from where particle decays radially outwards, whereas...

Polymer mechanochemistry is a promising technology to convert mechanical energy into chemical functionality by breaking covalent and supramolecular bonds site-selectively. Yet, the mechanochemical reaction rates of in typically used ultrasonication setups lead reasonable conversions only after comparably long sonication times. This can be accelerated either increasing reactivity mechanoresponsive moiety or modifying encompassing polymer topology. Here, microbubble system with tailored shell...

Various block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) with molecular weights between 7000 26,900 g/mol were synthesized, melt electrospun at temperatures 60 degrees C 90 C. Two types fibers collected, including excellent quality - highly coiled continuous, a constant diameter relatively defect free. Such fibers, termed "solid fibers", sufficiently cooled during their path the spinneret collector that symmetric fiber shape is maintained after landing on...

The design, synthesis, and properties of a novel, solution-processible organic semiconductor based on star-shaped oligothiophenes linked through flexible aliphatic branches to carbosilane core are described. This four-arm dendrimer-like molecule not only forms smooth thin films large surfaces but also shows improved monolayer formation compared its linear prototype, α,α'-dihexylquaterthiophene (Hex-4T-Hex). For the new material, three different types structural organization (nanowires mono-...

Septithiophene with endgroups designed to form liquid crystalline phases and allows controlled deposition of an electrically connected monolayer. Field effect mobilies mobilities charge carriers spectroscopic properties the monolayer provide evidence sustainable transport delocalization excitation through intermolecular interactions within layer. Detailed facts importance specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or...

Abstract Self‐shaping and actuating materials inspired by biological system have enormous potential for biosensor, microrobotics, optics. However, the control of 3D‐complex microactuation is still challenging due to difficulty in design nonuniform internal stress micro/nanostructures. Here, we develop in‐gel direct laser writing (in‐gel DLW) procedure offering a high resolution inscription whereby two materials, resin hydrogel, are interpenetrated on scale smaller than wavelength light. The...

The softness of nanohydrogels results in unique properties and recently attracted tremendous interest due to the multi-functionalization interfaces. Herein, we study extremely soft temperature-sensitive ultra-low cross-linked (ULC) nanogels adsorbed solid/water interface by atomic force microscopy (AFM). ultra-soft seem disappear classical imaging modes since a sharp tip fully penetrates these porous networks with very low forces range steric interactions (ca. 100 pN). However, detailed...

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is used to treat solid tumors by locally delivering radiation. However, due nephro- and hepato-toxicity, it limited its dosage. To amplify radiation damage tumor cells, radiolabeled nanogels can be used. We show that tuning the mechanical properties of significant enhancement in circulation half-life gel could achieved. demonstrate why how small changes influence cellular fate. Nanogels with a storage modulus 37 kPa were minimally phagocytosed monocytes...

The surface-induced alignment of crown ether units bearing amphiphiles into columnar structures within the pores track-etched membranes is reported (see Figure). ion-transport properties these are characterized by salt diffusion experiments. It found that containing oriented supramolecular channels display strongly enhanced transport rates compared to those with non-oriented channels.

Abstract The current understanding of motility through body shape deformation micro‐organisms and the knowledge fluid flows at microscale provides ample examples for mimicry design soft microrobots. In this work, a 2D spiral is presented that capable rotating by non‐reciprocal curling deformations. microswimmer ribbon consisting thermoresponsive hydrogel bilayer with embedded plasmonic gold nanorods. Such system allows fast local photothermal heating nonreciprocal bending under...

Linear polymers with monodendron side groups adsorb on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) in a remarkably regular pattern. The wormlike molecules have been depicted individually by scanning force microscopy their long axis aligned according to the 3-fold symmetry of HOPG. positional and orientational order adsorbed is explained specific interaction alkyl substituents monodendrons HOPG surface. Direct evidence epitaxial adsorption was found tunneling monolayers monomeric dendrons...

The role of anchoring the mesogenic side chains at internal and boundary interfaces in thin film morphology has been investigated for two fluorinated side-chain liquid crystalline/amorphous diblock copolymers. Initial bulk investigations indicate that polymers strongly microphase segregate into a cylindrical lamellar morphology, respectively. Inside liquid-crystal block, cylinder-forming block copolymer shows both crystalline-B smectic-A phase, whereas lamellae-forming polymer gives only...

Scanning force microscopy on monomolecular films of eicosylperfluorotetradecane, F(CF(2))(14)(CH(2))(20)H, mica, silicon oxide, or water revealed spontaneous organization to well-defined nanoscopic ribbon and spiral toroidal superstructures. Whether ribbons nanospirals were formed depended the solvent from which molecular monofilm was cast. Ribbons observed when a hydrocarbon perfluorocarbon used, e.g., decalin perfluorodecalin. When compound, however, deposited nonselective...

Aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene imine) functionalized with decyl- and azetidinium groups form physically cross-linked antimicrobial nanogels.