Supramolecular Interactions Determined Macroscopic Robotic Actuation Processes of Azobenzene Amphiphiles

Abstract

Inspired by nature, supramolecular assembling propensity of biomimetic units can be finely preprogrammed by supramolecular interactions. Supramolecular robotic system, as the junior members to soft robotic systems, is implemented with high intrinsic dynamicity, photoresponsiveness, and bioactive cell-material interfaces. However, reported supramolecular robotic systems are sensitive to subtle molecular structural modifications and lose its inherent robotic functions. Azobenzene amphiphilic designs can allow flexibility in molecular structural modifications without sacrificing the robotic functions, more importantly, systematic controls of supramolecular interactions of amphiphiles are programing supramolecular structural, mechanical, and functional properties. Resultingly, different photoactuation processes and mechanisms are established to lay foundations for future generations of soft robotic systems and bioactive smart materials.