Artificial Perspiration Membrane by Programmed Deformation of Thermoresponsive Hydrogels

Thermal management is essential for living organisms and electronic devices to survive and maintain their own functions. However, developing flexible cooling devices for flexible electronics or biological systems is challenging because conventional coolers are bulky and require rigid batteries. In nature, skins help to maintain a constant body temperature by dissipating heat through perspiration. Inspired by nature, an artificial perspiration membrane that automatically regulates evaporation depending on temperature using the programmed deformation of thermoresponsive hydrogels is presented. The thermoresponsive hydrogel is patterned into pinwheel shapes and supported by a polymeric rigid frame with stable adhesion using copolymerization. Both shape of the valve and mechanical constraint of the frame allow six times larger evaporation area in the open state compared to the closed state, and the transition occurs at a fast rate (≈1 s). A stretchable membrane is selectively coated to prevent unintended evaporation through the hydrogel while allowing swelling or shrinking of the hydrogel by securing path of water. Consequently, a 30% reduction in evaporation is observed at lower temperature, resulting in regulation of the skin temperature at the thermal model of human skins. This simple, small, and flexible cooler will be useful for maintaining temperature of flexible devices.