Edge effect of strained bilayer nanofilms for tunable multistability and actuation

Hu, Nan; Han, Xiaomin; Huang, Shicheng; Grover, Hannah; Yu, Xiaojiao; Zhang, L. N.; Trase, Ian; Zhang, J. X. J.; Zhang, L.; Dong, Lixin; Chen, Z.

doi:10.1039/c6nr08770a

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…1 c depict confocal microscopy images, showing that such objects can combine spiral and helical elements, which results in the formation of a cone-like 3D conformation. As the cross section varies from square to rectangular along the ribbon long axis, the transverse bending becomes more important, favoring a 3D helical over the 2D spiral shape [ 27 ]. For the samples C1 and C2, the equilibrium shape is a two-dimensional spiral in which the narrow tip bends tightly, while the wider end opens radially.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microgel that swims to the beat of light

et al. 2021

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Complementary to the quickly advancing understanding of the swimming of microorganisms, we demonstrate rather simple design principles for systems that can mimic swimming by body shape deformation. For this purpose, we developed a microswimmer that could be actuated and controlled by fast temperature changes through pulsed infrared light irradiation. The construction of the microswimmer has the following features: (i) it is a bilayer ribbon with a length of 80 or 120 $$\upmu $$ μ m, consisting of a thermo-responsive hydrogel of poly-N-isopropylamide coated with a 2-nm layer of gold and equipped with homogeneously dispersed gold nanorods; (ii) the width of the ribbon is linearly tapered with a wider end of 5 $$\upmu $$ μ m and a tip of 0.5 $$\upmu $$ μ m; (iii) a thickness of only 1 and 2 $$\upmu $$ μ m that ensures a maximum variation of the cross section of the ribbon along its length from square to rectangular. These wedge-shaped ribbons form conical helices when the hydrogel is swollen in cold water and extend to a filament-like object when the temperature is raised above the volume phase transition of the hydrogel at $$32\,^{\circ } \hbox {C}$$ 32 ∘ C . The two ends of these ribbons undergo different but coupled modes of motion upon fast temperature cycling through plasmonic heating of the gel-objects from inside. Proper choice of the IR-light pulse sequence caused the ribbons to move at a rate of 6 body length/s (500 $$\upmu $$ μ m/s) with the wider end ahead. Within the confinement of rectangular container of 30 $$\upmu $$ μ m height and 300 $$\upmu $$ μ m width, the different modes can be actuated in a way that the movement is directed by the energy input between spinning on the spot and fast forward locomotion. Graphic abstract

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microgel that swims to the beat of light

et al. 2021

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“…One of the possible ways to realize mechanical multistability is the use of pre-strained layers [40][41][42][43]. In 3D printing, a residual thermal stress often remains after printing and it can cause a distortion of printed structures.…”

Section: Strained Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

3D and 4D Printing of Multistable Structures

Jeong

Lim

et al. 2020

Applied Sciences

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Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a new paradigm in customized manufacturing and allows the fabrication of complex structures that are difficult to realize with other conventional methods. Four-dimensional (4D) printing adds active, responsive functions to 3D-printed components, which can respond to various environmental stimuli. This review introduces recent ideas in 3D and 4D printing of mechanical multistable structures. Three-dimensional printing of multistable structures can enable highly reconfigurable components, which can bring many new breakthroughs to 3D printing. By adopting smart materials in multistable structures, more advanced functionalities and enhanced controllability can also be obtained in 4D printing. This could be useful for various smart and programmable actuators. In this review, we first introduce three representative approaches for 3D printing of multistable structures: strained layers, compliant mechanisms, and mechanical metamaterials. Then, we discuss 4D printing of multistable structures that can help overcome the limitation of conventional 4D printing research. Lastly, we conclude with future prospects.

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“…Although many techniques have been applied to the preparation of miniaturized moving machines, [ 9 ] the process still faces many challenges when the size of the microactuator is reduced to the level of microns (from 1 μm to 1 mm) [ 10 ]. Two-dimensional photolithography and its derivative techniques (such as UV lithography [ 6 ]) have been used to manufacture 2D microactuators with a layer-by-layer procedure [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tethered and Untethered 3D Microactuators Fabricated by Two-Photon Polymerization: A Review

et al. 2021

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Microactuators, which can transform external stimuli into mechanical motion at microscale, have attracted extensive attention because they can be used to construct microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and/or microrobots, resulting in extensive applications in a large number of fields such as noninvasive surgery, targeted delivery, and biomedical machines. In contrast to classical 2D MEMS devices, 3D microactuators provide a new platform for the research of stimuli-responsive functional devices. However, traditional planar processing techniques based on photolithography are inadequate in the construction of 3D microstructures. To solve this issue, researchers have proposed many strategies, among which 3D laser printing is becoming a prospective technique to create smart devices at the microscale because of its versatility, adjustability, and flexibility. Here, we review the recent progress in stimulus-responsive 3D microactuators fabricated with 3D laser printing depending on different stimuli. Then, an outlook of the design, fabrication, control, and applications of 3D laser-printed microactuators is propounded with the goal of providing a reference for related research.

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Edge effect of strained bilayer nanofilms for tunable multistability and actuation

Cited by 14 publications

References 32 publications

Microgel that swims to the beat of light

Microgel that swims to the beat of light

3D and 4D Printing of Multistable Structures

Tethered and Untethered 3D Microactuators Fabricated by Two-Photon Polymerization: A Review

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