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Published on: August 17, 2017
Transparency-Photothermal Efficiency Coordinated Dual-Invisible Soft Robots
Mengyao Su1,2, Shenggui Liu3, Naiqing Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Environment Characteristics and Effects for Near-space, Beijing Key Laboratory of Intelligent Molecular Materials and High-throughput Manufacturing, MOE Key Laboratory of Cluster Science, MIIT Key Laboratory of Medical Molecule Science and Pharmaceutics Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Soft robots capable of seamless environmental integration and unobtrusive operation are essential for covert monitoring, camouflage, and preserving optical integrity. Near-infrared (NIR) photo-actuation offers an ideal route for invisible control; however, it is traditionally governed by a fundamental trade-off where strong photo-responses necessitate dark materials and high filler loadings that compromise transparency. Here, we report a system achieving spectral decoupling of visible transparency and photothermal responsiveness through interfacial engineering of two-dimensional atomically thin CuS (AT-CuS) nanosheets to form a stable monolayer dispersion in the polymer matrix. Such material reaches a record-breaking photothermal efficiency of 96.3% in the NIR-II window. At an ultralow loading of 0.01 wt % At-CuS, the composite maintains over 80% visible-light transmittance while exhibiting rapid NIR responses (>130°C within 2 s). We further demonstrate "dual-invisible" soft robots with imperceptible bodies and hidden NIR control, where the body and the NIR control signal remain imperceptible, performing agile amphibious locomotion.
