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Motorizing fibres with geometric zero-energy modes.

Arthur Baumann¹, Antoni Sánchez-Ferrer², Leandro Jacomine¹

¹Institut Charles Sadron UPR22-CNRS, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.

Nature Materials

|May 2, 2018

Summary

Researchers developed a new method for achieving continuous rotary motion in elastic materials without traditional wheels or axles. This breakthrough utilizes geometric zero-energy modes in prestrained polymer rings, enabling self-actuation and active movement.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Soft Matter Physics
Mechanical Engineering

Background:

Responsive materials enable complex structures and actuators.
Current shape-changing materials often rely on classical wheel-and-axle mechanisms for motion.
Achieving continuous rotary motion in soft materials remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore geometric zero-energy modes for generating rotary motion in elastic materials.
To demonstrate self-actuated continuous motion without rigid components.
To establish a novel mechanism for active movement in prestrained objects.

Main Methods:

Investigated prestrained polymer fibers formed into rings.
Utilized temperature gradients (two heat baths) to induce elastic deformations.
Analyzed rotational-symmetry breaking around the rod's axis.

Main Results:

Prestrained polymer rings exhibited self-actuation and continuous motion.
Rotary motion was achieved without external rigid wheels or axles.
Elastic deformations driven by symmetry breaking were identified as the mechanism.

Conclusions:

Geometric zero-energy modes can elicit rotary motion in elastic materials.
This work presents a simple, robust model for creating active motion in prestrained objects.
Findings pave the way for machines composed entirely of shape-changing materials.