J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2025, Vol. 232: 103-114.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2025.01.033

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Multifunctional origami magnetic-responsive soft actuators with modular designs

Yunhu Hea,b,c,1, Yicheng Hana,c,1, Zhen Yua, Wanying Wanga, Shiting Chena, Amr Osmand, Zhihui Liange, Zhengyi Maoa, Zhou Chena, Ying Lib, Jian Lua,b,c,f,*   

  1. aDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
    bCity University of Hong Kong Matter Science Research Institute (Futian), Shenzhen, 518057, China;
    cCentre for Advanced Structural Materials, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Greater Bay Joint Division, Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Shenzhen 518057, China;
    dDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
    eDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
    fHong Kong Branch of National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
  • Received:2024-09-05 Revised:2025-01-20 Accepted:2025-01-21 Published:2025-10-10 Online:2025-03-09
  • Contact: * E-mail address: jianlu@cityu.edu.hk (J. Lu).
  • About author:1 These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract: Soft actuators and stimuli responsive materials are highlighted in the research field for their enormous potential in transit tasks, sensing, and biomedical devices, particularly the magnetic responsive soft actuators driven by magnetic force remotely. Nevertheless, the further study of magnetic responsive actuators with complex three-dimensional geometries and multiple functions is still limited by uncomplicated design and flexible locomotion. This work provides a novel scheme integrating the origami method and modular designs, which defines the inner properties of magnetic material, extending the functions of magnetic responsive actuators with various modules. The directions of the inner magnetic moments can be programmed and the deformation degrees can be regulated by this approach, which promotes the fabrication of complicated soft actuators with multiple functions by integrating with modular designs. Especially, a movable actuator with various sensing modulus is designed by the origami method, which can perform the sensing application to external ultra-violet (UV), heat, and pH stimuli. Moreover, a microneedle modular actuator which can be controlled wirelessly by a magnetic field was demonstrated for the potential application in the biomedical field. This proposed scheme for engineering magnetic responsive material with modular designs has shown great potential to improve the feasibility, versatility, and multiple functionalities of soft actuators.

Key words: Magnetic responsive materials, Soft actuators, Origami, Soft robot, Oral drug delivery