A self-sustained soft actuator able to rock and roll

Cunha, Marina Pilz da; Peeketi, Akhil Reddy; Mehta, Kanishk; Broer, Dirk J.; Annabattula, Ratna Kumar; Debije, Michael G.

doi:10.1039/c9cc05329h

Cited by 30 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Despite the ability to operate without the need for human interference, in specific situations, a manual response is required, overruling the initial autonomous response. [6][7][8] For that matter, the introduction of a second stimulus allows for a more specific control dependent on the user's needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrothermal Color Tuning of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals Using Interdigitated Electrode Patterns

Froyen

Wübbenhorst

Liu

et al. 2020

Adv Elect Materials

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A transparent color‐tunable device is presented based on an electrothermal response by using interdigitated electrode patterns. The response is generated by applying an in‐plane AC electric field that heats up a thermosensitive cholesteric liquid crystal mixture. The induced temperature elevations cause band gap shifting (Δλ > 350 nm) up until a colorless state is reached, corresponding to the isotropic phase. Color shifting can be tuned manually by varying the electric field or autonomously by the surrounding temperature. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy reveals that the electrothermal response originates from resistive heating of the transparent electrode pattern in conjunction with the cell capacitance and is therefore largely dependent on the electrode configuration. Hence, the electrothermal response can be easily modified by changing the electrode pattern, frequency and/or voltage, dependent on the user's requirements. Therefore, the ability of this technique to manipulate the autonomous thermal response by an electric field, using only one conductive substrate, shows promise in the field of optoelectronics, sensors, and smart windows.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrothermal Color Tuning of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals Using Interdigitated Electrode Patterns

Froyen

Wübbenhorst

Liu

et al. 2020

Adv Elect Materials

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“…Applying stimuli-responsive materials, oscillatory motions, and directional motions has also been reported [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Stimuli-responsive materials generally terminate their motion when the systems reach equilibrium.…”

Section: Research Aiming Mechanical Work With Energy Conversionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Robust Dynamics of Synthetic Molecular Systems as a Consequence of Broken Symmetry

Kageyama

2020

Symmetry

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The construction of molecular robot-like objects that imitate living things is an important challenge for current chemists. Such molecular devices are expected to perform their duties robustly to carry out mechanical motion, process information, and make independent decisions. Dissipative self-organization plays an essential role in meeting these purposes. To produce a micro-robot that can perform the above tasks autonomously as a single entity, a function generator is required. Although many elegant review articles featuring chemical devices that mimic biological mechanical functions have been published recently, the dissipative structure, which is the minimum requirement for mimicking these functions, has not been sufficiently discussed. This article aims to show clearly that dissipative self-organization is a phenomenon involving autonomy, robustness, mechanical functions, and energy transformation. Moreover, it reports the results of recent experiments with an autonomous light-driven molecular device that achieves all of these features. In addition, a chemical model of cell-amplification is also discussed to focus on the generation of hierarchical movement by dissipative self-organization. By reviewing this research, it may be perceived that mainstream approaches to synthetic chemistry have not always been appropriate. In summary, the author proposes that the integration of catalytic functions is a key issue for the creation of autonomous microarchitecture.

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“…Liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) have been successfully employed to remotely and wirelessly achieve controlled bending, [16,17] rolling, [18] twisting, [19,20] and oscillating motions, [21][22][23] appearing as promising candidates for the mobile components in untethered soft robots in dry environments. [24] Light response is popularly employed in LCNbased soft robots and is achieved through the inclusion of photo active molecules into the polymer network in which the molecular architectures dictate the nature of the movement.…”

Section: Doi: 101002/advs201902842mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Soft Transporter Robot Fueled by Light

et al. 2020

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Mobile organisms with ability for locomotion and transportation, such as humans and other animals, utilize orchestrated actuation to perform actions. Mimicking these functionalities in synthetic, light‐responsive untethered soft‐bodied devices remains a challenge. Inspired by multitasking and mobile biological systems, an untethered soft transporter robot with controlled multidirectional locomotion with the ability of picking up, transporting, and delivering cargo driven entirely by blue light is created. The soft robot design is an ensemble of light‐responsive liquid crystalline polymers that can harness motion either collectively or individually to obtain a high degree of motion control for the execution of advanced tasks in a dry environment. Through orchestrated motion of the device's “legs”, single displacement strides, which exceed 4 mm and can be taken in any direction, allow for locomotion around objects. Untethered cargo transportation is demonstrated by a pickup and release mechanism using the device's “arms”. This strategy demonstrates the constructive harnessing of orchestrated motion in assemblies of established actuators, performing complex functions, mimicking constructive behavior seen in nature.

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A self-sustained soft actuator able to rock and roll

Abstract: Liquid crystalline networks of specific geometry are observed to undergo thermally triggered chaotic continual rocking motion and light triggered rolling.

Cited by 30 publications

References 32 publications

Electrothermal Color Tuning of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals Using Interdigitated Electrode Patterns

Electrothermal Color Tuning of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals Using Interdigitated Electrode Patterns

Robust Dynamics of Synthetic Molecular Systems as a Consequence of Broken Symmetry

A Soft Transporter Robot Fueled by Light

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