Photothermal Bimorph Actuators with In‐Built Cooler for Light Mills, Frequency Switches, and Soft Robots

A cool approach to advanced photothermal actuators

30 September 2019

A new photothermal actuator promises enhanced performance for devices used in applications from robotics to artificial intelligence.

Photothermal actuators convert light into heat and bend in response. They are generally made up of two layers: a passive layer and a thermal one. However, limits on their bending speed, bending amplitude, and symmetrical reversibility have restricted their use.

Now, a team led by researchers from Nankai University in China has developed an actuator that consists of three layers. The extra layer is a cooling layer that enhances actuation by shrinking through evaporation of water.

The team demonstrated their photothermal actuator in a new type of light mill, a fast-walking robot and a high-performance mechanical gripper.

The work could lead to better performing devices for use in a range of applications, including frequency switches, light mills and robotic grippers.

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References

1. Advanced Functional Materials 29, 1808995 (2019). doi: 10.1002/adfm.201808995