Hydrogel-actuated integrated responsive systems (HAIRS): Moving towards adaptive materials

► Adaptive materials strategy based on a hybrid architecture. ► Surfaces bearing multifunctional nanostructure arrays are embedded in responsive hydrogel. ► Hydrogel swelling/contraction reversibly reconfigures nanostructure topography. ► Nanostructures and gels are independently tailored for input-output coupling and complex motions. ► Versatile platform to create sustainable, self-adapting, self-reporting materials.