Polymer‐Based Muscle Expansion and Contraction

Abstract

Weight lifting: A polymer-based device capable of lifting many times its own mass was fabricated by drying a solution of the polycation poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride) (pDADMAC) on a surface coated with charged poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels. Upon drying of the pDADMAC solution on the microgel-modified surface, it bends. Flexible surfaces then curl up into scroll-like structures, which can be opened up at high humidity.