Switchable photothermal conversion efficiency for reprogrammable actuation

Yongcheng He; Haojun Liu; Jiajia Luo; Nuo Li; Lihua Li; Puxian Xiong; Jiulin Gan; Zhongmin Yang

doi:10.1038/s41528-023-00281-0

npj Flexible Electronics (Oct 2023)

Switchable photothermal conversion efficiency for reprogrammable actuation

Yongcheng He,
Haojun Liu,
Jiajia Luo,
Nuo Li,
Lihua Li,
Puxian Xiong,
Jiulin Gan,
Zhongmin Yang

Affiliations

Yongcheng He: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology
Haojun Liu: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology
Jiajia Luo: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology
Nuo Li: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology
Lihua Li: Future Institute of Technology, School of Information and Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal University
Puxian Xiong: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology
Jiulin Gan: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology
Zhongmin Yang: State Key Laboratory Luminescent Materials and Devices, Institute of Optical Communication Materials, Special Glass Fiber and Device Engineering Technology Research and Development Center of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fiber Laser Materials and Applied Techniques, South China University of Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-023-00281-0
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Reprogrammable soft matter brings flexibility to soft robots so that they can display various motions, which is flourishing in soft robotics. However, the reprogramming of photoresponsive materials used in soft robots is time-consuming using existing methods. In this study, we promote a strategy for rapid reprogramming via switchable photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE). The liquid crystalline elastomers doped with semiconductor bismuth compounds (Bi-LCE) used in this work exhibited large photothermal actuation with over 35% shrinkage in 5 s at high PCE state, which demonstrated little deformation at low PCE state. Furthermore, the material was capable of being reprogrammed up to 10 times, with only 20 min required for one PCE reversible switch. Based on this switchable PCE effect, the same Bi-LCE film displayed various shape changes through different programmable pattern. Additionally, a reprogrammable hollow tube made of PCE reprogrammable materials could tune the diameter, cross-section configuration, and surface morphology, which was crucial for microfluidics field. Reprogrammable materials provide endless possibilities for reusability and sustainability in robotics.

Published in npj Flexible Electronics

ISSN: 2397-4621 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Electronics; Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.nature.com/npjflexelectron/

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