Air
Ambient-Operated pNIPAM-Based Flexible Actuators Stimulated by Human
Body Temperature and Sunlight
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Abstract
Harnessing
a natural power source such as the human body temperature or sunlight
should realize ultimate low-power devices. In particular, macroscale
and flexible actuators that do not require an artificial power source
have tremendous potential. Here we propose and demonstrate electrically
powerless polymer-based actuators operated at ambient conditions using
a packaging technique in which the stimulating power source is produced
by heat from the human body or sunlight. The actuating angle, force,
and reliability are discussed as functions of temperature and exposure
to sunlight. Furthermore, a wearable device platform and a smart curtain
actuated by the temperature of human skin and sunlight, respectively,
are demonstrated as the first proof-of-concepts. These nature-powered
actuators should realize a new class of ultimate low-power devices