Plateau‐Rayleigh Instability Enabled Segmented Microfibers for Programmable Actuation

ABSTRACT

Developing fiber actuators with both complex deformability and precise programmability remains a critical challenge in smart textiles and soft robotics. Inspired by the segmented structure of earthworms, we actively guide the Plateau−Rayleigh instability to fabricate microfibers with a segmented core in a sodium alginate (SA)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) shell‐core structure. The off‐center distributed core and differential hydrophilicity enable rapid, reversible water‑actuated bending with a curvature of 0.17 mm ^{− 1} within 8 s. Furthermore, by precisely programming the length, width, and off‐center distribution of each core segment and leveraging the synergistic effects of axial sequences, a single fiber can achieve predefined deformations ranging from “J” and “U” shapes to more complex “S” and “W” configurations. When integrated into fabrics, different assembly modes allow either dynamic thickness adjustment or 3D shape transformation. This work offers a new strategy for achieving programmable actuation at the single‑fiber level and provides design insights for next‑generation soft actuators and adaptive textiles.