Flexible magnetic composites for light-controlled actuation and interfaces

Journal Article · 22 July 2018 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1805832115 · OSTI ID:1475345

Li, Meng ^[1]; Wang, Yu  ^[1]; Chen, Aiping ^[2]; Naidu, Arin ^[1]; Napier, Bradley S. ^[1]; Li, Wenyi ^[1]; Rodriguez, Carlos Lopez ^[3]; Crooker, Scott A. ^[2]; Omenetto, Fiorenzo G. ^[4]

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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 Lab. (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) (United States)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• 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, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 32 Vol. 115; ISSN 0027-8424
• Publisher: National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC (United States)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English