3D Anisotropic Polyethylene as Light-Responsive Grippers and Surfing Divers |
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Authors: | Xinglong Pan Nadia Grossiord Jeroen A H P Sol Michael G Debije Albert P H J Schenning |
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Institution: | 1. Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, Eindhoven, 5612 AZ The Netherlands;2. SABIC T&I, Plasticslaan 1, Bergen op Zoom, 4612 PX The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Untethered soft actuators are usually based on 3D engineered special polymers such as liquid crystal networks or hydrogels that require complex fabrication methods. Here, an easy-to-process, anisotropic composite soft actuator based on a simple photothermal dye-doped polyethylene film is presented. The 3D anisotropic polymer films are prepared by solution-casting and subsequent thermal solid-stretching. The resulting soft actuators exhibit large and controllable bending in response to light (UV and/or near-infrared (NIR)) and are able to act as grippers picking up cargo. Additionally, the films are capable of realizing “diving” and “surfing” locomotion in and over a liquid via the photothermal induced Marangoni effect, yielding a NIR light-fueled transporter able to pick up cargo. The results open up new possibilities of using commodity polymers in a broad range of applications including untethered soft actuators and robotic devices. |
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Keywords: | anisotropic polymers commodity polymers Marangoni effect polyethylene soft actuators |
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