The direct transformation of external energy into mechanical work by the self-propelled motor inspires and promotes the development of miniaturized machines. Several strategies have been utilized to realize the self-driven motion, but in some cases multiple power sources are needed, and this would complicate the operation in diverse environments. In this regard, the dual-mode self-propelled system based on a single power source is highly desirable. In this work, single-light-actuated dual-mode propulsion at the liquid/air interface is realized by using flexible, superhydrophobic, and thermostable photothermal paper made from flexible ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires, titanium sesquioxide (Ti2O3) particles, and poly(dimethylsiloxane) coating. The superhydrophobic surface enables the thermostable photothermal paper to float on the water surface spontaneously and significantly reduces the drag force. In the usual situation, the heat power produced by the photothermal effect is utilized to trigger the Maran...
Last. Bin Dong(Soochow University (Suzhou))H-Index: 20
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Inspired by the collective behavior of natural living systems, the collective behavior of micromotors has become the research highlight. Although great progress has been made, it is still challenging to control the collective behavior of micromotors. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel near-infrared (NIR) light-powered micromotor consisting of a polystyrene microsphere and a polydopamine core–shell structure (PS@PDA) with concentration-dependent motion direction reversal and dynamic swarming b...
#1Ri-Long Yang(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 13
#2Ying-Jie Zhu(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 81
Last. Zhi-Chao Xiong(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 13
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Stimulus-responsive actuators that can respond to the external stimuli and convert external energy into dynamic movement behaviors are highly desired for many applications. Among various driving schemes, the Marangoni propulsion produced by the photothermal effect is promising for yielding stimulus-responsive motion in a contactless and switchable manner. However, challenges still remain, especially for the fluid drag and poor processability. Herein, a flexible, superhydrophobic, and phototherma...
#1Jianhua Zhang(WUT: Wuhan University of Technology)H-Index: 5
#2Fangzhi Mou(WUT: Wuhan University of Technology)H-Index: 26
Last. Jianguo Guan(WUT: Wuhan University of Technology)
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The key principle of designing a micro/nanomotor is to introduce asymmetry to a micro/nanoparticle. However, micro/nanomotors designed based on external asymmetry and inherent chemical and geometrical asymmetry usually suffer from tedious small-scale preparation, high cost, and/or complexity of external power and control devices, making them face insurmountable hurdles in practical applications. Herein, considering the possible distinct properties of different polymorphs, we propose a novel desi...
: CdS quantum dots/C60 tubular micromotors with chemical/multi-light-controlled propulsion and "on-the-fly" acceleration capabilities are described. In situ growth of CdS quantum dots on the outer fullerene layer imparts this layer with light-responsive properties in connection to inner Pt, Pd or MnO2 layers. This is the first time that visible light is used to drive bubble-propelled tubular micromotors. The micromotors exhibit a broad absorption range from 320 to 670 nm and can be wirelessly co...
Last. Tao Deng(SJTU: Shanghai Jiao Tong University)H-Index: 32
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: This work reports the photothermally driven horizontal motion of a motor as well as the suspending and vertical movements underwater. A motor is designed by attaching two polydimethylsiloxane-coated oxidized copper foams (POCF) to the two opposite sides of an oxidized copper foam (OCF). When the hydrophobic POCF is immersed in water, it serves as both an air bubble trapper and a light-to-heat conversion center. As bubbles grow under photothermal heating, they provide lifting force and result i...
Last. Haifeng Yu(PKU: Peking University)H-Index: 34
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: Swimmers at liquid/air interfaces have drawn enormous attention because of their potential applications. Described herein is one novel light-driven swimmer based on a bimorph composite structure of a photoresponsive liquid-crystalline polymer network and a commercially available polyimide (Kapton). The motion of the swimmer can be controlled by photoirradiation. The bilayer-structured film shows quickly photoinduced bending towards the Kapton side upon exposure to UV light, and recovers immedi...
Last. Martin Pumera(Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague)H-Index: 104
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Photoactivated micromachines are at the forefront of the micro- and nanomotors field, as light is the main power source of many biological systems. Currently, this rapidly developing field is based on metal-containing segments, typically TiO2 and precious metals. Herein, we present metal-free tubular micromotors solely based on graphitic carbon nitride, as highly scalable and low-cost micromachines that can be actuated by turning on/off the light source. These micromotors are able to move by a p...
#1Ri-Long Yang(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 13
#2Ying-Jie Zhu(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 81
Last. Zhi-Chao Xiong(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 13
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A variety of biological materials in natural organisms supply a rich source of structural design guidelines and inspirations for the construction of advanced structural materials with excellent mechanical properties. In this work, inspired by the natural nacre and human bone, a kind of flexible macroscopic ribbon fiber made from highly ordered alignment of ultralong hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowires and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) with a “brick-and-mortar” layered structure has been developed by a s...
#1Mengjiao Cheng(Huada: Beijing University of Chemical Technology)H-Index: 23
#2Guiqiang Zhu(Huada: Beijing University of Chemical Technology)H-Index: 1
Last. Feng Shi(Huada: Beijing University of Chemical Technology)H-Index: 37
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: Macroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) is a rising concept in supramolecular science, in which building blocks with sizes exceeding 10 μm self-assemble into larger structures. MSA faces the challenge of developing appropriate self-propulsion strategies to improve the motility of the macroscopic building blocks. Although the Marangoni effect is an ideal driving force with random motion paths, excessive aggregation of the surfactant and fast decay of motion remain challenging problems. Hence,...
#1Xiaodong Wang(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 59
#2Liguo Dai(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 2
Last. Lianqing Liu(CAS: Chinese Academy of Sciences)H-Index: 26
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Abstract Photoresponsive superhydrophobic microrobots based on Marangoni effect are attracting more and more attention. Graphene has high photothermal properties and nanostructures. It is an excellent material for manufacturing superhydrophobic microrobots moving at the air/water interface. However, it is difficult to fabricate superhydrophobic microrobots with complex shapes moving at the air/water interface using graphene without chemical modification. Herein, Graphene/polydimethylsiloxane com...
Last. Huaiguo Xue(YZU: Yangzhou University)H-Index: 71
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Recently, a series of super-hydrophobic materials have been prepared and efforts have been made to further expand their applications, especially in electronics and smart actuators. However, it remains challenging to develop light weight, flexible and super-hydrophobic materials integrating multifunctionalities such as superior photothermal conversion, corrosion resistance, and controllable actuation. Herein, a superhydrophobic and multi-responsive carbon nanofiber (CNF) hybrid membrane with an o...
Cellulose fiber (CF) paper is a low-cost, sustainable, and flexible substrate, which has gained increasing interest recently. Before practical usage, the functionalization of the pristine CF paper is indispensable to meet requirements of specific applications. Different from conventional surface modification or physical mixing methods, we report in situ growth of ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires (HAPNWs) with lengths larger than 10 μm on the CF paper. HAPNWs are radially aligned on the surface...
Light-powered micromotors have drawn enormous attention because of their potential applications in cargo delivery, environmental monitoring, and noninvasive surgery. However, the existing micromotors still suffer from some challenges, including slow speed, poor controllability, single locomotion mode, and no deformation during movement. Herein, we employ a combined electrospinning with brushing of Chinese ink to simply fabricate a light-responsive gradient-structured poly(vinyl alcohol)/carbon (...
#1Fernando Soto(UCSD: University of California, San Diego)H-Index: 22
#2Emil Karshalev(UCSD: University of California, San Diego)H-Index: 21
Last. Joseph Wang(UCSD: University of California, San Diego)H-Index: 173
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Over the past 15 years, the field of microrobotics has exploded with many research groups from around the globe contributing to numerous innovations that have led to exciting new capabilities and important applications, ranging from in vivo drug delivery, to intracellular biosensing, environmental remediation, and nanoscale fabrication. Smart responsive materials have had a profound impact on the field of microrobotics and have imparted small-scale robots with new functionalities and distinct ca...