Enhancing soft robots with chemical shielding for harsh corrosive liquid environments.

ABSTRACT: Soft robots offer safe interactions and adaptability for underwater applications such as environmental monitoring. However, their operation in corrosive liquid environments remains a challenge due to the degradation of elastomeric components upon exposure to acids, bases, and organic solvents. Here, a universal chemical shielding strategy is introduced for elastomer-based soft robots using a spray-coated superomniphobic skin composed of fluorinated silica nanoparticles. The coating exhibits high contact angles (>150°) and low roll-off angles (<10°) for liquids spanning a wide range of surface tensions, preventing wetting and protecting against strong acids and organic solvents. The strategy is applied to representative actuators made of silicone rubber, liquid crystal elastomers, and magne

SUBMITTER: Qing H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12709453 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature