Temperature-Adaptative Self-Oscillating gels: Toward Autonomous Biomimetic Soft Actuators with Broad Operating Temperature Region.

We showcase self-oscillating gel systems exhibiting an expanded operating temperature and accompanying functional adaptability. The developed system contains nonthermoresponsive main-monomers, such as N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) or 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) or acrylamide (AAm) or 3-(methacryloylamino)propyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC). The gels volumetrically self-oscillates within the range of the conventional (20.0 °C) and extended (27.0 and 36.5 °C) temperatures. Moreover, the gels successfully adapt to the environmental changes; they beat faster and smaller as the temperature increases. The period and amplitude are also controlled by tuning the amount of main-monomers and N-(3-aminopropyl) acrylamide. Furthermore, the record amplitude in the bulk gel system consisting of polymer strand and crosslinker at 36.5 °C is achieved (≈ 10.8%). Our study shows new self-oscillation systems composed of unprecedented combinations of materials, giving the community a robust material-based insight for developing more life-like autonomous biomimetic soft robots with various operating temperatures and beyond. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.