Volume 18, Issue 36 2105116
Review

Smart Film Actuators for Biomedical Applications

Zhuohao Zhang

Zhuohao Zhang

Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China

State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096 China

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Yu Wang

Yu Wang

State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096 China

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Qiao Wang

Qiao Wang

Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China

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Luoran Shang

Corresponding Author

Luoran Shang

Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 17 January 2022
Citations: 17

Abstract

Taking inspiration from the extremely flexible motion abilities in natural organisms, soft actuators have emerged in the past few decades. Particularly, smart film actuators (SFAs) demonstrate unique superiority in easy fabrication, tailorable geometric configurations, and programmable 3D deformations. Thus, they are promising in many biomedical applications, such as soft robotics, tissue engineering, delivery system, and organ-on-a-chip. In this review, the latest achievements of SFAs applied in biomedical fields are summarized. The authors start by introducing the fabrication techniques of SFAs, then shift to the topology design of SFAs, followed by their material selections and distinct actuating mechanisms. After that, their biomedical applications are categorized in practical aspects. The challenges and prospects of this field are finally discussed. The authors believe that this review can boost the development of soft robotics, biomimetics, and human healthcare.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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