Self‐oscillating swelling and deswelling of polymer gels

Abstract

Abstract Novel gel systems demonstrating rhythmically pulsatile mechanical motion similar to that of a heartbeat were developed. Self‐oscillations of swelling and deswelling for the polymer hydrogels were realized by coupling pH and temperature sensitive hydrogels with a non‐linear chemical reaction in the external solution media. The novel gel dynamics exhibiting cyclic and rhythmical oscillations may establish a new concept for functional materials that work under dynamic oscillating states.