@article{rodriguez_approaches_of_2021, 
author={Rodriguez, N. and Bastola, A. and Behl, M. and Soffiatti, P. and Rowe, N. and Lendlein, A.},
title={Approaches of combining a 3D-printed elastic structure and a hydrogel to create models for plant-inspired actuators},
year={2021},
journal = {MRS Advances},
volume = {6},
number = {25},
pages = {625- 630},
doi = {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://dx.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. In: MRS Advances
. Vol. 6 (2021) 25, 625- 630. (DOI:  /10.1557/s43580-021-00081-6)}}