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In-built thermo-mechanical cooperative feedback mechanism for self-propelled multimodal locomotion and electricity generation

Author

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  • Xiao-Qiao Wang

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Chuan Fu Tan

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Kwok Hoe Chan

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Xin Lu

    (National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

  • Liangliang Zhu

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Sang-Woo Kim

    (School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU))

  • Ghim Wei Ho

    (National University of Singapore
    A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 3 Research Link)

Abstract

Utilization of ubiquitous low-grade waste heat constitutes a possible avenue towards soft matter actuation and energy recovery opportunities. While most soft materials are not all that smart relying on power input of some kind for continuous response, we conceptualize a self-locked thermo-mechano feedback for autonomous motility and energy generation functions. Here, the low-grade heat usually dismissed as ‘not useful’ is used to fuel a soft thermo-mechano-electrical system to perform perpetual and untethered multimodal locomotions. The innately resilient locomotion synchronizes self-governed and auto-sustained temperature fluctuations and mechanical mobility without external stimulus change, enabling simultaneous harvesting of thermo-mechanical energy at the pyro/piezoelectric mechanistic intersection. The untethered soft material showcases deterministic motions (translational oscillation, directional rolling, and clockwise/anticlockwise rotation), rapid transitions and dynamic responses without needing power input, on the contrary extracting power from ambient. This work may open opportunities for thermo-mechano-electrical transduction, multigait soft energy robotics and waste heat harvesting technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao-Qiao Wang & Chuan Fu Tan & Kwok Hoe Chan & Xin Lu & Liangliang Zhu & Sang-Woo Kim & Ghim Wei Ho, 2018. "In-built thermo-mechanical cooperative feedback mechanism for self-propelled multimodal locomotion and electricity generation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06011-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06011-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Serena Arnaboldi & Gerardo Salinas & Sabrina Bichon & Sebastien Gounel & Nicolas Mano & Alexander Kuhn, 2023. "Bi-enzymatic chemo-mechanical feedback loop for continuous self-sustained actuation of conducting polymers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Cheng, Quanbao & Zhou, Lin & Du, Changshen & Li, Kai, 2022. "A light-fueled self-oscillating liquid crystal elastomer balloon with self-shading effect," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Wu, Haiyang & Lou, Jiangfeng & Dai, Yuntong & Zhang, Biao & Li, Kai, 2024. "Bifurcation analysis in liquid crystal elastomer spring self-oscillators under linear light fields," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    4. Jing Fan Yang & Thomas A. Berrueta & Allan M. Brooks & Albert Tianxiang Liu & Ge Zhang & David Gonzalez-Medrano & Sungyun Yang & Volodymyr B. Koman & Pavel Chvykov & Lexy N. LeMar & Marc Z. Miskin & T, 2022. "Emergent microrobotic oscillators via asymmetry-induced order," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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