Abstract: A polymer composite of dissimilar polymers covalently bonded at the interface is disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composite of dissimilar polymers covalently bonded at the interface is disclosed.

Abstract: A stretchable temperature sensor includes one or more elastomeric ionic conducting layers; at least two electronic conducting elements, wherein the one or more ionic conducting layers and one or more electronic conducting elements are configured and arranged to provide at least one electrical double layer at a first contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a first electronic conducting element in a sensing end and at least one electrical double layer at a contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a second electronic conducting element in an open end of the temperature sensor; wherein the second electronic conducting element provides a connection at the open end to an external circuit for measuring a signal generated in response to a temperature condition at the sensing end.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: A stretchable electrooptical device includes a liquid crystal cell disposed between first and second ionic conducting gel layers; and first and second electronic conductors in electrical contact with the first and second ionic conducting gel layers, respectively, said first and second electronic conductors connectable to an external voltage source.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: A stretchable temperature sensor includes one or more elastomeric ionic conducting layers; at least two electronic conducting elements, wherein the one or more ionic conducting layers and one or more electronic conducting elements are configured and arranged to provide at least one electrical double layer at a first contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a first electronic conducting element in a sensing end and at least one electrical double layer at a contact area between the ionic conducting layer and a second electronic conducting element in an open end of the temperature sensor; wherein the second electronic conducting element provides a connection at the open end to an external circuit for measuring a signal generated in response to a temperature condition at the sensing end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.

Abstract: A composite material is described, including a first material comprising a first polymeric network; a second material comprising a second polymeric network; and an adhesion polymeric network comprising a plurality of adhesion polymer chains joined together by a bonding force and interwoven with the first and second polymeric networks to adhere the first and second materials together, where the adhesion polymeric network is not covalently bonded with the first or second material. Methods of making such composite material are also described.

Abstract: Hydrogel compositions, and corresponding methods of making, are provided. The hydrogels do not freeze, or only partially freeze, over a wide range of temperatures below the freezing temperature of water. Concurrently, these hydrogels also retain their room temperature mechanical properties (e.g., strength, modulus, elasticity) over a wide range of temperatures, including temperatures below the freezing temperature of water. The hydrogels are synthesized by adding a suitable amount of a salt together with previously cross-linked polymer gel. Hydration of the gel with aqueous solutions containing the prescribed salts not only depresses the hydrogel freezing point but protects the structure. For example, the salts do not allow the hydrogel to completely freeze, thus protecting the hydrogel from brittle failure. Whether the hydrogels partially freeze or remain non-frozen when chilled below the freezing temperature of water is determined by concentration of salt within the hydrogel.

Abstract: A composite material is disclosed including: a first material including a plurality of crosslinked first polymer chains including a plurality of first polymer monomeric units; a coating layer on the surface of the first material, wherein the coating layer includes a plurality of adhesion polymer chains, wherein the plurality of adhesion polymer chains includes a plurality of the first polymer monomeric units and a plurality of first bond-forming units, wherein the adhesion polymer chains are interwoven with the first polymer chains; and a second material including a plurality of second polymer chains, wherein the coating layer is disposed in-between the first and the second material and contacting the surface of the first and the second material, and a portion of the second polymer chains includes a plurality of second polymer monomeric units and second bond-forming units; wherein the first and the second bond-forming units form one or more bonds.

Abstract: The invention discloses a circumferential laser dynamic display device, including an inner frame, having an inner frame pattern with multiframe microstructures made on surface; a sheet metal part, at least provided with first and second through holes, wherein the inner frame pattern is directly irradiated by a first beam of laser through the first through hole and by a second beam of laser through the second through hole; and a rotating shaft, with one end fixedly connected with a driving shaft, and the other end rotatably connected with the inner frame pattern. The rotating shaft can drive the inner frame pattern to do translational movement when rotating; wherein the translational movement of the inner frame enables the inner frame pattern to do circumferential movement relative to laser. The dynamic display device disclosed by the invention has simple structure, reasonable design and low production cost, and achieves circumferential dynamic image display.

Abstract: A polymer composite of dissimilar polymers covalently bonded at the interface is disclosed.

Abstract: A stretchable electrooptical device includes a liquid crystal cell disposed between first and second ionic conducting gel layers; and first and second electronic conductors in electrical contact with the first and second ionic conducting gel layers, respectively, said first and second electronic conductors connectable to an external voltage source.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

Abstract: A class of devices enabled by ionic conductors is highly stretchable, fully transparent to light of all colors, biocompatible or biodegradable, and capable of operation at frequencies beyond 10 kilohertz and voltages above 10 kilovolts. These devices enabled by ionic conductors can be used as large strain actuators, full-range loudspeakers, as strain or pressure sensors and as stretchable interconnects. The electromechanical transduction is achieved without electrochemical reaction. When large stretchability and high optical transmittance are required, the ionic conductors have lower sheet resistance than all existing electronic conductors.

Abstract: The invention discloses a circumferential laser dynamic display device, including an inner frame, having an inner frame pattern with multiframe microstructures made on surface; a sheet metal part, at least provided with first and second through holes, wherein the inner frame pattern is directly irradiated by a first beam of laser through the first through hole and by a second beam of laser through the second through hole; and a rotating shaft, with one end fixedly connected with a driving shaft, and the other end rotatably connected with the inner frame pattern. The rotating shaft can drive the inner frame pattern to do translational movement when rotating; wherein the translational movement of the inner frame enables the inner frame pattern to do circumferential movement relative to laser. The dynamic display device disclosed by the invention has simple structure, reasonable design and low production cost, and achieves circumferential dynamic image display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.

Abstract: Hydrogel compositions, and corresponding methods of making, are provided. The hydrogels do not freeze, or only partially freeze, over a wide range of temperatures below the freezing temperature of water. Concurrently, these hydrogels also retain their room temperature mechanical properties (e.g., strength, modulus, elasticity) over a wide range of temperatures, including temperatures below the freezing temperature of water. The hydrogels are synthesized by adding a suitable amount of a salt together with previously cross-linked polymer gel. Hydration of the gel with aqueous solutions containing the prescribed salts not only depresses the hydrogel freezing point but protects the structure. For example, the salts do not allow the hydrogel to completely freeze, thus protecting the hydrogel from brittle failure. Whether the hydrogels partially freeze or remain non-frozen when chilled below the freezing temperature of water is determined by concentration of salt within the hydrogel.