Vacuum–Laser Fabrication of Programmable Soft Actuators (Adv. Sci. 31/2026)

Programmable Soft Actuators In their Research Article (DOI: 10.1002/advs.202522500), Antonio E. Forte and co-workers present a rapid and accessible fabrication strategy for inflatable soft actuators that combines vacuum sealing with laser cutting of low-cost thermoplastic pouches. The approach enables precise and repeatable sealing, fast production cycles, and programmable multi-cell geometries without complex tooling. Integrated mechanical modeling and inverse design frameworks are used to predict and tailor actuator behaviour, enabling the creation of robust bending actuators and functional soft robotic systems.