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Title: Flexible magnetic composites for light-controlled actuation and interfaces

Journal Article · · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
 [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [2];  [4]
  1. Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States). Silklab. Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
  2. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  3. Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States). Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
  4. Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States). Silklab. Dept. of Biomedical Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dept. of Physics

The interaction between light and matter has been long explored, leading to insights based on the modulation and control of electrons and/or photons within a material. An opportunity exists in optomechanics, where the conversion of radiation into material strain and actuation is currently induced at the molecular level in liquid crystal systems, or at the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device scale, producing limited potential strain energy (or force) in light-driven systems. We present flexible material composites that, when illuminated, are capable of macroscale motion, through the interplay of optically absorptive elements and low Curie temperature magnetic materials. These composites can be formed into films, sponges, monoliths, and hydrogels, and can be actuated with light at desired locations. Finally, light-actuated elastomeric composites for gripping and releasing, heliotactic motion, light-driven propulsion, and rotation are demonstrated as examples of the versatility of this approach.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Tufts Univ., Medford, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); Office of Naval Research (ONR) (United States); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396; N00014-16-1-2437; DMR-1157490; 1541959
OSTI ID:
1475345
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-18-28365
Journal Information:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 115, Issue 32; ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher:
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC (United States)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 46 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (4)

Bio-inspired sensing and actuating materials journal January 2019
Photothermally and magnetically controlled reconfiguration of polymer composites for soft robotics journal August 2019
Cutting the Cord: Progress in Untethered Soft Robotics and Actuators journal January 2019
Light-Induced Actuation of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Filled with Graphene Oxide Grafted with Poly(2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl Methacrylate) journal September 2018

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