Materials that spontaneously “morph” their structure and optimize themselves to particular functions will open entirely new pathways towards adaptive materials or soft robotics. The researchers will establish interactive hydrogels that self-assemble from a “design less” state and can get their morphology optimized to perform targeted mechanical operations upon swelling and contraction, in analogy to muscles. Hydrogels will be formed around an array of electrodes and integrate input signals from the electrodes via electrochemical reactions, supramolecular assemblies and dynamic conductive pathways to locally enhance or suppress hydrogel growth, swelling and contraction: enabling far more complex swelling/contraction routines then classical hydrogels generate.