Graduate School of Integrated Design Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
Soft Matter. 2017 May 24;13(20):3710-3719. doi: 10.1039/c7sm00279c.
Stimuli-responsive microfibers are fabricated by extruding mixed solutions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (pNIPAM-AAc) and sodium alginate (Na-alginate) using a microfluidic spinning system. The fabricated microfibers shrink and swell with temperature and/or pH. By controlling the extruded laminar flow, microfibers capable of anisotropic shrinkage are fabricated. Cross-sectional microscale geometries of microfibers, including double layering and hollowness, are successfully controlled by patterning the laminar flow during microfiber formation, resulting in hydrogels capable of folding/unfolding motions and fluid pumping. In addition, macroscopic 3D-bundle structures are assembled with these microfibers. We believe that our microfibers can be applied to various applications such as soft actuators, soft robots, and micropumps.
刺激响应性微纤维是通过使用微流控纺丝系统挤出聚（N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-co-丙烯酸）（pNIPAM-AAc）和海藻酸钠（Na-alginate）混合溶液来制备的。所制备的微纤维随温度和/或 pH 值的变化而收缩和溶胀。通过控制挤出的层流，可以制备具有各向异性收缩的微纤维。通过在微纤维形成过程中对层流进行图案化，可以成功控制微纤维的横截面微尺度几何形状，包括双层和中空，从而得到能够进行折叠/展开运动和泵送流体的水凝胶。此外，还可以用这些微纤维组装宏观的 3D 束状结构。我们相信我们的微纤维可以应用于各种应用，如软致动器、软机器人和微泵。
