Chen, H, Ye, S orcid.org/0000-0001-5152-5753, Tao, Q et al. (3 more authors) (2021) Hygroresponsive Torsional Yarns and Actuators Based on Cascade Amplification of the Deformation. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 306 (5). 2000822. ISSN 1438-7492
Abstract
Fiber‐based hygroresponsive torsional actuators provide desirable merits, such as light weight and shapeability, for developing smart systems to harvest energy from moisture which is a ubiquitous natural resource. A key challenge in this development is to realize moisture‐triggered actuation combining large actuation and rapid responses. Here, a multiscale design strategy is explored to create high‐performance hygroresponsive torsional actuators consisting of chitosan and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The superior actuation performance arises from the synergism of contributing factors at different scales, including 1) MWNCTs accelerate the water transport in primary twisted fibers (PTFs), fostering the rotation of PTFs upon moisture stimuli; 2) in situ‐formed hierarchically‐assembled twists realize cascade amplification of moisture‐triggered actuation. Specifically, PTFs are self‐twisted to generate secondary helical yarns, that are subsequently over‐twisted to yield tertiary coiled yarn. The resultant yarn actuator can reach a maximum rotation speed of 11 400 rpm in 5 s, output gravitational potential energy of 2.4 J kg−1 and gravitational potential power of 0.053 W kg−1 during contraction. This work represents the first design of fiber‐based actuators by virtue of moisture‐triggered in situ formation of yarns. The established principles of multiscale design will enable high‐performance fiber‐based hygroresponsive actuators toward advanced intelligent textile and soft robotics.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Chen, H, Ye, S , Tao, Q et al. (3 more authors) (2021) Hygroresponsive Torsional Yarns and Actuators Based on Cascade Amplification of the Deformation. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 306 (5). 2000822. ISSN 1438-7492, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202000822. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. |
Keywords: | intelligent textiles; moisture‐triggered actuation; self‐twisted yarns; torsional actuators; water transport |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Molecular & Nanoscale Physics |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 26 Mar 2021 15:13 |
Last Modified: | 19 Jul 2022 09:51 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1002/mame.202000822 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:172593 |