@misc{rodriguez_approaches_of_2021, 
author={Rodriguez, N.,Bastola, A.,Behl, M.,Soffiatti, P.,Rowe, N.,Lendlein, A.},
title={Approaches of combining a 3D-printed elastic structure and a hydrogel to create models for plant-inspired actuators},
year={2021},
howpublished = {journal article},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00081-6},
abstract = {Inspired by the interesting functional traits of a climbing cactus, Selenicereus setaceus, found in the forest formations of Southeastern Brazil, we formulated a hypothesis that we can directly learn from the plants to develop multi-functional artificial systems by means of a multi-disciplinary approach. In this context, our approach is to take advantage of 3D-printing techniques and shape-memory hydrogels synergistically to mimic the functional traits of the cactus. This work reports on the preliminary investigation of cactus-inspired artificial systems. First, we 3D-printed soft polymeric materials and characterized them, which defines the structure and is a passive component of a multi-material system. Second, different hydrogels were synthesized and characterized, which is an active component of a multi-material system. Finally, we investigated how the hydrogel can be integrated into the 3D-printed constructs to develop artificial functional systems.},
note = {Online available at: \url{https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00081-6} (DOI). Rodriguez, N.; Bastola, A.; Behl, M.; Soffiatti, P.; Rowe, N.; Lendlein, A.: Approaches of combining a 3D-printed elastic structure and a hydrogel to create models for plant-inspired actuators. MRS Advances. 2021. vol. 6, no. 25, 625-630. DOI: 10.1557/s43580-021-00081-6}}