Soft robotics promises to replace conventional rigid machines for applications requiring adaptability and dexterity. For key components of soft robots, such as soft actuators, it is thus important to explore sustainable options like bioderived and biodegradable materials. We introduce systematically determined compatible materials systems for the creation of fully biodegradable, high-performance electrohydraulic soft actuators, based on various biodegradable polymer films, ester-based liquid dielectric, and NaCl-infused gelatin hydrogel.

Incorporating large organic cations to form two‐dimensional (2D) and mixed 2D/3D structures significantly increases the stability of perovskite solar cells. Here, by investigating the initial stages of the crystallization, as well as partially and fully formed perovskites grown using MACl, the origins underlying this favorable alignment are inferred. This mechanism is studied by employing 3‐fluorobenzylammonium in quasi‐2D perovskite solar cells.

Here, a concept for merging intrinsically stretchable materials with engineered stretchability by kirigami-patterning on a component level is shown to yield high-power biodegradable batteries with reversible elasticity up to 35% when stretched uniaxially and 20% for biaxial extension. Using a combination of molybdenum metal foils, a molybdenum trioxide paste, and magnesium metal foils as electrode materials, a peak power output of 196 µW/cm² and an energy density of 1.72 mWh/cm² is achieved.

Embedded sensors are key to optimizing processes and products; they collect data that allow time, energy, and materials to be saved, thereby reducing costs. Fueled by climate change, sustainable construction materials such as wood and fiber composites are gaining importance. Current sensors are not optimized for use with these materials and often act as defects that cause catastrophic failures. Here, flexible, highly permeable, and imperceptible sensors (iSens) are introduced that integrate seamlessly into a component.

Conventional refrigeration relies on hazardous agents, contributing to global warming. Soft, cheap, biodegradable solid-state elastocaloric cooling based on natural rubber offers an environmentally friendly alternative. Here, we combine snap-through instability with strain-induced crystallization and achieve a sub-100 ms quasi-adiabatic cycling, which is 30 times faster than previous designs.

Compact and entirely soft optics with tunable and adaptive properties drive the development of life‐like soft robotic systems. Yet, existing approaches are either slow, require rigid components, or use high operating voltages of several kilovolts. Here, soft focus‐tunable lenses are introduced, which operate at practical voltages, cover a high range of adjustable focal lengths, and feature response times in the milliseconds range.

In this proof-of-concept study, we implemented an accurate and intuitively interpretable artificial neural network (ANN) for the detection of BCCs in histological whole-slide images (WSIs). Furthermore, we identified and compared differences in the diagnostic histological features and recognition patterns relevant for machine learning algorithms vs. expert pathologists.

Here, we demonstrate a series of simulation-guided lightweight, durable, untethered, small-scale soft-bodied robots that perform large-degree deformations at high frequencies up to 100 Hz, are driven at very low magnetic fields down to 0.5 mT and exhibit a specific energy density of 10.8 kJ m⁻³ mT⁻¹.

Biodegradable and biocompatible elastic materials for soft robotics, tissue engineering or stretchable electronics with good mechanical properties, tunability, modifiability or healing properties drive technological advance. We have developed a versatile gelatin-based biogel, which is highly resilient with outstanding elastic characteristics, yet degrades fully when disposed.

Batteries as energy source enable their untethered operation at high power density but must be rendered elastic to fully comply with (soft) robots and human beings. Here, polymerized high internal phase emulsions (polyHIPEs) are introduced as highly ionically conductive separators in stretchable (rechargeable) batteries.

Prof. Kaltenbrunner

Here, we realize bifunctional electronic skins equipped with a compliant magnetic microelectromechanical system able to transduce both tactile—via mechanical pressure—and touchless—via magnetic fields—stimulations simultaneously.

Prof. Kaltenbrunner

Prof. Kaltenbrunner

Prof. Kaltenbrunner

We have shown that npAl films are effective templates for nanoparticle synthesis from a metal-halide perovskite precursor solution.

Prof. Kaltenbrunner

Expensive equipment is often considered a prerequisite for good science. But the development of technology that is affordable and accessible to many could help promote a greater diversity of scientific thinking.

A simple concept of scanning head-guided anodization is shown to be highly expandable to fabricate various electronic components.

With the next generation of squishy robots on the rise, advanced soft electronic skins could provide the ultimate touch.