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Updated: Sep 24, 2025
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Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
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Thermoresponsive Smart Gating Wood Membranes
Yong Ding1,2, Guido Panzarasa1,2, Sandro Stucki1,2
1Wood Materials Science, Institute for Building Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland.
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
|May 9, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a smart gating wood membrane inspired by plant stomata. This innovative material offers controlled pore opening and closing for applications like water flow control and indoor climate regulation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomimetic Engineering
Background:
- Smart membranes with stimuli-responsive pores are crucial for advanced applications.
- Current challenges include achieving high flux, rapid response, and mechanical robustness in smart membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel smart gating membrane using a wood scaffold.
- To mimic the pore-regulating mechanism of plant stomata for controlled fluid and light manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a wood scaffold with a hierarchical porous structure.
- Employed laser drilling to create precisely aligned channels.
- In situ polymerization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel within the wood channels to act as thermoresponsive gates.
Main Results:
- Developed wood-based smart gating membranes with reversible and stable pore opening/closing triggered by temperature changes.
- Demonstrated rapid response times for the gating mechanism.
- Showcased potential applications in indoor light regulation and water flow manipulation.
Conclusions:
- The developed wood-based smart gating membranes offer a promising solution for stimuli-responsive material applications.
- The biomimetic design and scalable fabrication method pave the way for practical uses in various fields.
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