Self-Healing and Reprocessable Soft Robots Using 3D Digital Light Printing.

ABSTRACT: Soft robots manufactured from compliant materials are highly versatile and can interact safely with humans while performing complex tasks. However, their low modulus and high compliance make them vulnerable to mechanical damage. Here, we synthesise soft, self-healing, and recyclable robots featuring complex air chambers using 3D digital light printing technology. The formulated monomers and cross-linkers are polymerized layer-by-layer using photoinitiated free-radical polymerization during the printing process to form soft objects on a moving metal substrate. Dynamic chemistry is introduced into the polymer by designing cross-linker structures, whereby vinylogous urethanes-bearing cross-linkers of different chain lengths are studied to allow the cross-linked elastomer networks to be therma

SUBMITTER: Yuan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12786329 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature