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Robust thermoelastic microactuator based on an organic molecular crystal

Author

Listed:
  • Yulong Duan

    (Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM))

  • Sergey Semin

    (Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM))

  • Paul Tinnemans

    (Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM))

  • Herma Cuppen

    (Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM))

  • Jialiang Xu

    (Nankai University)

  • Theo Rasing

    (Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM))

Abstract

Mechanically responsive molecular crystals that reversibly change shape triggered by external stimuli are invaluable for the design of actuators for soft robotics, artificial muscles and microfluidic devices. However, their strong deformations usually lead to their destruction. We report a fluorenone derivative (4-DBpFO) showing a strong shear deformation upon heating due to a structural phase transition which is reproducible after more than hundred heating/cooling cycles. Molecular dynamic simulations show that the transition occurs through a nucleation-and-growth mechanism, triggered by thermally induced rotations of the phenyl rings, leading to a rearrangement of the molecular configuration. The applicability as actuator is demonstrated by displacing a micron-sized glass bead over a large distance, delivering a kinetic energy of more than 65 pJ, corresponding to a work density of 270 J kg−1. This material can serve as a prototype structure to direct the development of new types of robust molecular actuators.

Suggested Citation

  • Yulong Duan & Sergey Semin & Paul Tinnemans & Herma Cuppen & Jialiang Xu & Theo Rasing, 2019. "Robust thermoelastic microactuator based on an organic molecular crystal," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12601-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12601-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Durga Prasad Karothu & Rodrigo Ferreira & Ghada Dushaq & Ejaz Ahmed & Luca Catalano & Jad Mahmoud Halabi & Zainab Alhaddad & Ibrahim Tahir & Liang Li & Sharmarke Mohamed & Mahmoud Rasras & Panče Naumo, 2022. "Exceptionally high work density of a ferroelectric dynamic organic crystal around room temperature," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Jiawei Lin & Jianmin Zhou & Liang Li & Ibrahim Tahir & Songgu Wu & Panče Naumov & Junbo Gong, 2024. "Highly efficient in crystallo energy transduction of light to work," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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