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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Published on: May 25, 2016

Flexible magnetic composites for light-controlled actuation and interfaces.

Meng Li^1,2, Yu Wang^1,2, Aiping Chen³

¹Silklab, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|July 25, 2018

Summary

Flexible composites move at macroscale when illuminated, utilizing light-responsive magnetic materials. This breakthrough in optomechanics enables new light-driven applications like gripping and propulsion.

Keywords:

elastomers light actuation optomechanics silk soft robotics

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Magnet Assisted Composite Manufacturing: A Flexible New Technique for Achieving High Consolidation Pressure in Vacuum Bag/Lay-Up Processes

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Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

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Published on: April 25, 2020

Area of Science:

Optomechanics
Materials Science
Photonics

Background:

Light-matter interactions are key to controlling electrons and photons in materials.
Current optomechanical systems (liquid crystals, MEMS) offer limited strain energy.
A need exists for light-driven systems with greater actuation capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop flexible material composites capable of macroscale motion upon illumination.
To explore the interplay of optically absorptive and low Curie temperature magnetic materials for light actuation.
To demonstrate the versatility of these composites in various applications.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of flexible composites incorporating optically absorptive and magnetic elements.
Utilizing low Curie temperature magnetic materials for light-induced strain.
Forming composites into diverse structures (films, sponges, monoliths, hydrogels).

Main Results:

Achieved macroscale motion in flexible composites when illuminated.
Demonstrated light-actuated capabilities including gripping, releasing, heliotactic motion, propulsion, and rotation.
Showcased the ability to actuate composites at specific locations with light.

Conclusions:

Developed a novel class of light-actuated elastomeric composites.
The composites offer significant potential for versatile, remote light-driven actuation.
This approach expands the possibilities in optomechanics and smart materials.