Active gel locomotion

Many types of functional gels have been developed and applied to soft actuators or artificial muscles. In particular, electroactive polymer gels that change shape when controlled electrically seem to be promising. But the mechanical motion is driven by electric stimuli. In the present study, we describe the autonomous hydrogel locomotion powered by the chemical energy. The polymer gels can generate periodical expansion and contraction coupled with the oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. This active gel system reported in this proceeding is excellent tools for the successful design and use of the electric-free devices.