Premium
Micron‐Scale Soft Actuators Fabricated from Multi‐Shell Polystyrene Particle‐Gold Nanoparticle Nanohybrids
Author(s) -
Vishnosky Nicholas,
Gomez Jasmine C.,
Kim Spencer T.,
Doukmak Emma J.,
Grafstein Jeremy,
Steinhardt Rachel C.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.202100222
Subject(s) - materials science , elastomer , nanoparticle , photothermal therapy , nanotechnology , ceramic , photothermal effect , polystyrene , particle (ecology) , actuator , composite number , composite material , soft matter , polymer , chemical engineering , colloid , oceanography , engineering , geology , electrical engineering
Abstract Actuators made of soft matter are needed for a variety of fields ranging from biomedical devices to soft robotics to microelectromechanical systems. While there are a variety of excellent methods of soft actuation known, the field is still an area of intense research activity as new niches and needs emerge with new technology development. Here, a soft actuation system is described, based on a core‐multi‐shell particle, which moves via photothermal expansion. The system consists of a novel polystyrene‐based thermally expandable microsphere, with a secondary shell of a silicate‐silane graft copolymer, to which gold nanoparticles are covalently linked. The gold nanoparticles act as photothermal nano‐transducers, converting light energy into the thermal energy necessary for microsphere expansion, which in turn results in material movement. Actuation is shown in isolated particles in thermal and photothermal regimes using metal ceramic heaters or 520 nm laser illumination, respectively. Macroscale actuation is demonstrated by making a composite material of particles suspended in the transparent elastomer polydimethylsiloxane. The sample demonstrates an inchworm‐like movement by starting from an arched geometry. Overall, this work describes a new particle‐based actuation method for soft materials, and demonstrates its utility in driving the movement of a composite elastomer.