Conversion of light into macroscopic helical motion
Conversion of light into macroscopic helical motion
复制标题
DOI：
10.1038/nchem.1859
复制
发表时间：
2014-03-01
期刊：
影响因子：
21.8
通讯作者：
Katsonis, Nathalie
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Iamsaard, Supitchaya;Asshoff, Sarah J.;Katsonis, Nathalie
纳米技术的一个关键目标是开发能够将分子运动转化为宏观功的人造机器。尽管已报道了将光转化为形状变化并将其与人造肌肉进行了比较，但实际应用需要克服外部负载做功。在此，我们描述了能够在宏观尺度上将光能转化为机械功的类弹簧材料的设计、合成及操作。这些多功能材料由嵌入液晶聚合物弹簧中的分子开关组成。在这些弹簧中，分子运动被转换并放大为可控且可逆的扭转运动。这些弹簧呈现出复杂的运动，包括缠绕、解缠和螺旋反转，这取决于它们的初始形状。重要的是，它们可以通过移动宏观物体并模拟机械运动来做功，比如植物卷须用于帮助植物获取阳光的那些运动。这些功能材料在微机械系统、软体机器人和人造肌肉方面具有潜在应用。
A key goal of nanotechnology is the development of artificial machines capable of converting molecular movement into macroscopic work. Although conversion of light into shape changes has been reported and compared to artificial muscles, real applications require work against an external load. Here, we describe the design, synthesis and operation of springlike materials capable of converting light energy into mechanical work at the macroscopic scale. These versatile materials consist of molecular switches embedded in liquid-crystalline polymer springs. In these springs, molecular movement is converted and amplified into controlled and reversible twisting motions. The springs display complex motion, which includes winding, unwinding and helix inversion, as dictated by their initial shape. Importantly, they can produce work by moving a macroscopic object and mimicking mechanical movements, such as those used by plant tendrils to help the plant access sunlight. These functional materials have potential applications in micromechanical systems, soft robotics and artificial muscles.