NER: Micromechanical Actuators Constructed from Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Composites

项目编号：0403495机构：罗德岛大学首席研究员：欧拉，威廉标题：NER：由聚合物/碳纳米管复合材料构建的微机械致动器摘要：致动器是将输入形式的能量转换为机械运动的装置。一个常见的例子是肌肉组织，它将化学能转化为生物运动。在这个研究项目中，将研究将电能或光能转化为弯曲运动的材料。这种装置可以应用于传感器或开关等领域，并且可以适应微或纳米尺度。电动执行器是由夹在碳纳米管层之间的金属制成的。碳纳米管层充当电输入的电极。当提供电流时，复合材料向正极弯曲，或者如果使用交流电，可以使其振荡。研究活动将旨在了解这种行为的机制，以便设计和测试最佳结构。相比之下，光驱动驱动器仅由两层组成：纳米管和碳纳米管。当光照射到双分子层上时，复合材料向分子层弯曲，与光源的方向无关。这种行动方式是前所未有的。这项研究的目的是开始了解这种物理行为的潜在来源。

PROPOSAL NO: 0403495INSTITUTION: U of Rhode IslandPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Euler , WilliamTITLE: NER: Micromechanical Actuators Constructed from Polymer/Carbon Nanotube CompositesAbstract:Actuators are devices that convert an input form of energy into mechanical motion. An common example is muscle tissue, which converts chemical energy into biological movement. In this research project, materials will be studied that convert either electrical energy or light energy into a bending motion. Such devices may have application in areas such as sensors or switches and can be adapted to the micro- or nanoscale.The electrical actuators are made from nafion sandwiched between layers of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube layers act as electrodes for electrical input. When current is supplied, the composite bends towards the positive electrode or can be made to oscillate if an alternating current is used. The research activities will be aimed at understanding the mechanism of this behavior so that an optimal structure can be devised and tested. In contrast, the light driven actuator is composed of only two layers: nafion and carbon nanotubes. When light is shined on this bilayer, the composite bends toward the nafion layer, independent of the orientation of the light source. Such a mode of action is unprecedented. The research will be designed to begin to understand the underlying source for this physical behavior.