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Multistimulus-Responsive Graphene Oxide/Fe3O4/Starch Soft Actuators
Hiran Chathuranga1,2, Ifra Marriam1,2, Su Chen1,2
1School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|April 1, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel soft actuator using graphene oxide, magnetic nanoparticles, and tapioca starch. This multi-stimuli responsive actuator can be triggered by moisture and magnetic fields for diverse applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Soft actuators are crucial for applications like soft robots and artificial muscles.
- Conventional actuators often respond to a single stimulus and require complex, costly fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel soft actuator responsive to multiple stimuli.
- To utilize sustainable and readily available raw materials for actuator fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Water evaporation-induced self-assembly method was employed.
- Graphene oxide, Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and tapioca starch were used as primary materials.
Main Results:
- The hybrid actuator demonstrated a rapid bending speed of ~72° s⁻¹ upon moisture exposure.
- The actuator exhibited controlled rotations and linear motion via magnetic field regulation.
- The actuator successfully captured magnetic objects.
Conclusions:
- The developed actuator offers multi-stimuli responsiveness using cost-effective and safe materials.
- This technology enables the fabrication of smart devices like smart curtains and grippers with complex motions.
