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Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Preparation and Evaluation of Hybrid Composites of Chemical Fuel and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes in the Study of Thermopower Waves
Published on: April 10, 2015
From chemical fuels to kinetic energy: Self-propelled macroscopic smart devices
Dan Wang1, Baoyi Wei1, Youyi Xia1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan, Anhui 243032, China.
Abstract:
Chemical reactions and gradients can drive the locomotion of smart devices by converting the chemical energy into kinetic energy at the water/air-water interface. Among all-scale propulsions, chemical-powered smart devices at milli- and centimeters have attracted significant attentions over the past 15 years due to their advantages, including self-powered motions with large driving force, visible motions, and long moving distances, which have achieved various promising applications in mini-generator, environmental remediation, cargo delivery, macroscopic assembly, and sensing/detection. This review focuses on chemically propelled macroscopic smart devices, which are able to move autonomously in water or on air-water surface by chemical reactions/gradients. The design principles for generating propulsion force including chemical powered propulsion system, matrices with functional structures, and asymmetric structure designs, are introduced, as well as motion mechanisms. Based on the concept of 'functionally cooperating systems', vigorous progress in practical applications of macroscopic smart devices propelled by chemical energy has been demonstrated.
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