Motorizing fibres with geometric zero-energy modes
Abstract
Responsive materials1-3 have been used to generate structures with built-in complex geometries4-6, linear actuators7-9 and microswimmers10-12. These results suggest that complex, fully functional machines composed solely from shape-changing materials might be possible13. Nonetheless, to accomplish rotary motion in these materials still relies on the classical wheel and axle motifs. Here we explore geometric zero-energy modes to elicit rotary motion in elastic materials in the absence of a rigid wheel travelling around an axle. We show that prestrained polymer fibres closed into rings exhibit self-actuation and continuous motion when placed between two heat baths due to elastic deformations that arise from rotational-symmetry breaking around the rod's axis. Our findings illustrate a simple but robust model to create active motion in mechanically prestrained objects.
- Publication:
-
Nature Materials
- Pub Date:
- April 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1038/s41563-018-0062-0
- Bibcode:
- 2018NatMa..17..523B