Mechano-adaptive meta-gels through synergistic chemical and physical information-processing.

ABSTRACT: Global functional adaptation after local mechanical stimulation, as in mechanobiology and the mimosa plant, is fascinating and ubiquitous in nature. This is achieved by locally sensing mechanical deformation with precise thresholds, processing this information via biochemical circuits, followed by downstream actuation. The integration of such embodied intelligence allowing for mechano-to-chemo-to-function information-processing remains elusive in man-made systems. By merging the fields of chemical circuits and metamaterials, we introduce adaptive metamaterial hydrogels (meta-gels) that can accurately sense mechanical stimuli (local touch and global strain), transmit this information over long distances via reaction-diffusion signaling, and induce downstream mechanical strengthening by grow

SUBMITTER: Duzs B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11487081 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature