Bioinspired 2D Isotropically Fatigue‐Resistant Hydrogels

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202107106
• Publication Date: 2021-12-10T02:02:50Z
• Authors: Xiangyu Liang; Guangda Chen; Shaoting Lin; Jiajun Zhang; Liu Wang; Pei Zhang; Yang Lan; Ji Liu
• Keywords: Soft Robotics; Soft materials; Stretchable electronics

Engineering conventional hydrogels with muscle-like anisotropic structures can efficiently increase the fatigue threshold over 1000 J m-2 along alignment direction; however, perpendicular to is still as low ≈100-300 , making them nonsuitable for those scenarios where isotropic properties are desired. Here, inspired by distinct structure-properties relationship of heart valves, a simple yet general strategy engineer unprecedented resistance, record-high 1,500 two arbitrary in-plane directions reported. The two-step process involves formation preferentially aligned lamellar micro/nanostructures through bidirectional freeze-casting process, followed compression annealing, synergistically contributing extraordinary resistance crack propagation. study provides viable means fabricating soft materials isotropically extreme properties, thereby unlocking paths apply these advanced toward applications including robotics, flexible electronics, e-skins, and tissue patches.