title: Hydrogel-based microactuators with remote-controlled locomotion and fast Pb2+-response for micromanipulation.
abstract: Hydrogel-based microactuators that enable remote-controlled locomotion and fast Pb(2+)-response for micromanipulation in Pb(2+)-polluted microenvironment have been fabricated from quadruple-component double emulsions. The microactuators are Pb(2+)-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-benzo-18-crown-6-acrylamide) microgels, each with an eccentric magnetic core for magnetic manipulation and a hollow cavity for fast Pb(2+)-response. Micromanipulation of the microactuators is demonstrated by using them for preventing Pb(2+)-leakage from microchannel. The microactuators can be remotely and precisely transported to the Pb(2+)-leaking site under magnetic guide, and then clog the microchannel with Pb(2+)-responsive volume swelling to prevent flowing out of Pb(2+)-contaminated solution. The proposed microactuator structure provides a potential and novel model for developing multifunctional actuators and sensors, biomimetic soft microrobots, microelectro-mechanical systems and drug delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Ying-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-Chao
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xiao-Jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Djamal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zerrouki
authors.forename: Nan-Nan
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Liang-Yin
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chu
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry; D032701:Biomimetics; D043844:Crown Ethers; D004655:Emulsions; D005782:Gels; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry*; D008280:Magnetics; D044085:Microfluidics; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement; D010938:Plant Oils; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013025:Glycine max; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D043844:Crown Ethers; D004655:Emulsions; D005782:Gels; D020100:Hydrogels; D010938:Plant Oils; D011108:Polymers; D007854:Lead; C015762:18-crown-6; C067295:N-isopropylacrylamide