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Soft actuators with large deformation and high stability in response to multi-stimuli are highly demanded for the development of biomimetic applications. In this work, a design strategy for an electrothermal/magnetic coupling actuator based on a magnetorheological elastomer is proposed. By combining magnetic Polydimethylsiloxane (NdFeB/PDMS) thin film with MXene/PTFE hybrid layers, a sandwich structural soft actuator (MPDMS/MXene/PTFE) which possesses electrothermal/magnetic coupling actuation is fabricate (Figure 1a). The soft actuator not only displays a wonderful electrothermal actuation, but also shows typical magnetic bionic drive performance (Figure 1b). In this study, Dragonfly structure soft actuator was designed, and its programmable drive performance was analyzed through experiments and finite element simulation (Figure 1c). Finally, the intelligent crawling robot is developed to realize the coupling drive of electrothermal and magnetic field. These case studies may provide new ideas for the design of high-performance soft actuators towards various practical applications, such as smart devices, soft robotics, artificial muscles and wearable soft electronics.

magnetorheological elastomer, Electrothermal actuator, Magnetic actuator