Microfluidic Spun Self-Healable Janus-Core Composite Microfibers as Smart Fiber Actuators

Smart
fiber actuators with self-sensing and intelligent actuation
can perceive environmental changes and respond with real-time movements.
Herein, Janus-core composite microfibers (JCCMFs), consisting of a
Janus NIR-driven active-passive core and a self-healable hydrogel
shell, are fabricated through a microfluidic process. The resulting
JCCMFs can perform rapid NIR-driven bending within 6 s and achieve
fast self-healing within 5 min. The fast self-healing improves durability
and enables straightforward assembly into biomimetic actuators without
the need for additional adhesive. Furthermore, the JCCMFs also possess
potential piezoresistive abilities, enabling applications as hybrid
smart actuators and exhibiting excellent performance in touch sensitivity
and microtexture recognition .