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Artificial neuromuscular fibers by multilayered coaxial integration with dynamic adaption.

Lizhong DongMing RenYulian WangGuanghua WangShiqin ZhangXulin WeiJianfeng HeBo CuiYueran ZhaoPanpan XuXiaona WangJiangtao DiQing-Wen Li
Published in: Science advances (2022)
Integrating sense in a thin artificial muscle fiber for environmental adaption and actuation path tracing, as a snail tentacle does, is highly needed but still challenging because of the interfacing mismatch between the fiber's actuation and sensing components. Here, we report an artificial neuromuscular fiber by wrapping a carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber core in sequence with an elastomer layer, a nanofiber network, and an MXene/CNT thin sheath, achieving the ingenious sense-judge-act intelligent system in an elastic fiber. The CNT/elastomer components provide actuation, and the sheath enables touch/stretch perception and hysteresis-free cyclic actuation tracing due to its strain-dependent resistance. As a whole, the coaxial structure builds a dielectric capacitor that enables sensitive touchless perception. The key to seamless integration is to use a nanofiber interface that allows the sensing layer to adaptively trace but not restrict actuation. This work provides promising solutions for closed-loop control for future intelligent soft robots.
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