Leiden University Student Repository

Frijters, Hans (2017)

Metagels

Master thesis | Physics (MSc)

This work explores the design, synthesis and actuation of temperature sensitive hydrogel-elastomer bilayers. Following previous research we created a protocol to graft poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) on top of a rubber substrate. These bilayers can be bent by changing the temperature of the system using a heat bath. Novel bilayers are designed where a mechanical instability is introduced. None of the designed instabilities are triggered during actuation, instead the bilayers bend in a different direction.

Hydrogel

Metamaterial

Actuation

Synthesis

Instability

Bilayer

Author

Frijters, Hans

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Specialisation

Biological and Soft Matter

Supervisors

Hecke, Martin van

ECTS Credits

5

Language

en