Folding Control of Hydrogel Platforms through Pattern Design and Light Illumination

Herein, we demonstrated a strategy to control the folding ability of hydrogel platforms through pattern design and light illumination. Hydrogel platforms, which consist of a temperature-responsive colored pattern, a temperature-responsive intermediate layer, and a passive (nonresponsive) layer, were fabricated in molds with different geometries. Folding ability of the resulting films was manipulated by the light illumination, pattern design, and color. Furthermore, as a proof-of-concept, sample capturing from a target point was successfully demonstrated using the fabricated hydrogel platforms. These results show that our strategy may provide promising possibilities for the fabrication of the next-generation soft foldable materials.