Bionic Sea Anemone Actuator with a Double-Layered Gripper Driven by Multiple Physical Fields

Due to the reversible ability of hydrogels to absorb and lose water, more and more researchers are applying hydrogels to the research of underwater robots. Sea anemones are soft marine creatures with simple structures and soft bodies, whose extended tentacles shrink in response to danger or capture of food. Inspired by sea anemones, we built a light-driven bilayer gripper to complete the process of catching and releasing. In addition, a bionic sea anemone actuator composed of a magnetic-driven flower stalk and a light-driven flower was designed. Under the effect of an external magnetic field, the bionic sea anemone can wiggle, mimicking the sea anemone’s drift through the water. The light-driven flower has superior programmability and fast response, simulating the contraction of sea anemone when stimulated. In addition, the flower stem of sea anemone can bend to capture prey. The flower stem of the bionic sea anemone introduced is photo-responsive, which can bend in different directions under unilateral light irradiation. This study combines light drive and magnetic drive, providing a reference value for underwater drive of actuators.