Work

Hygroscopic biomimetic transducers made from CNT-hydrogel composites

Year: 2011

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Plants as well as other biological organisms achieve directed movements by fibres that constraint and direct the isotropic expansion of a matrix material. In order to mimic these actuators, complex arrangements of rigid fibres must be achieved, which is challenging, especially at small scales. In this paper, a new method to organize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into complex shapes is employed to create a framework for hydrogel infiltration. These CNT frameworks can be realized as iris, needle and bridge architectures, and after hydrogel infiltration, they show directed actuation in response to water uptake. Finally, we show how the latter can be employed as a novel hygroscopic sensor.

Source: International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems

DOI: 10.1109/transducers.2011.5969612

Authors: M. De Volder, S. Tawfick, D. Copic, A.J. Hart

Institutions: IMEC, KU Leuven, University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Materials and Mechanics

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green