Exploration of molecular machines in supramolecular soft robotic systems

Soft robotic system, a new era of material science, is rapidly developing with advanced processing technology in soft matters, featured with biomimetic nature. An important bottom-up approach is through the implementation of molecular machines into polymeric materials, however, the synchronized molecular motions, acumination of strain across multiple length-scales, and amplification into macroscopic actuations remained highly challenging. This review presents the significances, key design strategies, and outlook of the hierarchical supramolecular systems of molecular machines to develop novel types of supramolecular-based soft robotic systems.

Automated summary

Soft robotic systems, featuring biomimetic nature and advanced processing technology in soft matters, are a new era of material science that is rapidly developing. However, the implementation of molecular machines into polymeric materials poses significant challenges in synchronized molecular motions, accumulation of strain, and amplification into macroscopic actuations. This review highlights the importance, key design strategies, and outlook of hierarchical supramolecular systems of molecular machines for the development of novel supramolecular-based soft robotic systems.