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Octopus‑inspired self‑adaptive hydrogel gripper capable of manipulating ultra‑soft objects

10.24.25 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

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Octopus‑Inspired Self‑Adaptive Hydrogel Gripper Capable of Manipulating Ultra‑Soft Objects
3D printable supramolecular hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties and stiffness adaptability were enabled by strong and weak H-bonding cooperative interactions and microphase separation.Sucker structure with an alterable membrane was designed and fabricated with 3D printing  to realize reliable and gentle switchable adhesion.Octopus-inspired hydrogel gripper that is capable of delicately handling ultra-soft underwater objects in the form of nondestructive surface release was achieved. Credit: Yixian Wang, Desheng Liu*, Danli Hu, Chao Wang, Zonggang Li, Jiayu Wu, Pan Jiang, Xingxing Yang, Changcheng Bai, Zhongying Ji, Xin Jia*, Xiaolong Wang*.

As the need for gentle, shape-adaptive handling of fragile matter grows, conventional rigid and silicone-based grippers still struggle to grasp ultra-soft foods, biological tissues or curved devices in wet environments without damage. Now, a multi-institute team led by Prof. Desheng Liu (Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS) and Prof. Xiaolong Wang presents a comprehensive study on an octopus-inspired, hydraulically actuated hydrogel gripper that achieves switchable, damage-free adhesion for complex underwater manipulation. This work offers a transformative blueprint for next-generation soft robotic grippers that can overcome the limitations of existing technologies.

Why Octopus-Inspired Hydrogel Grippers Matter

Innovative Design and Features

Applications and Future Outlook

This comprehensive study establishes an adaptable, low-cost route to fabricate soft grippers that marry the gentle touch of hydrogels with the intelligent adhesion of octopus suckers, opening new avenues for safe manipulation in robotics, biomedicine and ocean engineering.

Nano-Micro Letters

10.1007/s40820-025-01880-4

Octopus‑Inspired Self‑Adaptive Hydrogel Gripper Capable of Manipulating Ultra‑Soft Objects

19-Aug-2025

Keywords

Hydrogels

Article Information

Journal
Nano-Micro Letters
DOI
10.1007/s40820-025-01880-4
Article Publication Date
2025-08-19
Article Title
Octopus‑Inspired Self‑Adaptive Hydrogel Gripper Capable of Manipulating Ultra‑Soft Objects

Contact Information

Bowen Li
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center
qkzx@sjtu.edu.cn

Source

Original Source
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40820-025-01880-4

How to Cite This Article

APA:
Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center. (2025, October 24). Octopus‑inspired self‑adaptive hydrogel gripper capable of manipulating ultra‑soft objects. Brightsurf News. https://www.brightsurf.com/news/LRDEOY58/octopusinspired-selfadaptive-hydrogel-gripper-capable-of-manipulating-ultrasoft-objects.html
MLA:
"Octopus‑inspired self‑adaptive hydrogel gripper capable of manipulating ultra‑soft objects." Brightsurf News, Oct. 24 2025, https://www.brightsurf.com/news/LRDEOY58/octopusinspired-selfadaptive-hydrogel-gripper-capable-of-manipulating-ultrasoft-objects.html.