Bilayer

Materials science

Layer (electronics)

Actuator

Biochemistry

Computer science

Substrate (aquarium)

Ionomer

Geology

Inert

Oceanography

Polymer

Microporous material

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Membrane

Copolymer

Artificial intelligence

Composite material

Chemistry

Nanoscopic scale

Optoelectronics

Polyethylene terephthalate

Nature Communications

The ability to achieve simultaneous intrinsic deformation with fast response in commercially available materials that can safely contact skin continues to be an unresolved challenge for artificial actuating materials. Rather than using a microporous structure, here we show an ambient-driven actuator that takes advantage of inherent nanoscale molecular channels within a commercial perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer (PFSA) film, fabricated by simple solution processing to realize a rapid response, self-adaptive, and exceptionally stable actuation. Selective patterning of PFSA films on an inert soft substrate (polyethylene terephthalate film) facilitates the formation of a range of different geometries, including a 2D (two-dimensional) roll or 3D (three-dimensional) helical structure in response to vapor stimuli. Chemical modification of the surface allowed the development of a kirigami-inspired single-layer actuator for personal humidity and heat management through macroscale geometric design features, to afford a bilayer stimuli-responsive actuator with multicolor switching capability.

Molecular-channel driven actuator with considerations for multiple configurations and color switching