Systems and methods for fabricating water-responsive actuators
AssigneeThe Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
InventorsOzgur Sahin, Onur Cakmak, Xi Chen
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Abstract
Water-responsive actuators and methods for creating water responsive actuators are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter includes a first layer, for example a plastic tape, and a second layer, for example bacterial spores and cured adhesive. The second layer can be created in a pattern. The pattern can include joints, which can contract when exposed to dry air and can thereby bend the actuator, and can expand when exposed to humid air and thereby return the actuator its original position.
Claims23
A method for fabricating a water-responsive actuator, using a solution including bacterial spores and a UV-curable adhesive suspended in a solvent, comprising:
- depositing the solution onto a substantially planar layer of flexible material that substantially maintains its shape in the presence of water;
- applying UV light to the deposited solution to thereby cure at least a portion of the deposited solution to form a water-responsive layer;
- and
- removing uncured deposited solution, if any.
A water-responsive actuator comprising:
- a substantially planar first layer comprising a flexible material that substantially maintains its shape in the presence of water;
- and
- a second layer positioned on a surface of the first layer;
- wherein the second layer comprises a cured solution including a bacterial spore and a cured adhesive, the second layer being water-responsive to permit repeatable actuation in the presence of water, wherein the cured solution comprises the cured adhesive in a ratio of 0.1% to 5% or in a ratio of 25% to 50% by volume to the solution.
A solution for making a water-responsive material comprising:
- a UV curable adhesive;
- a water-responsive bacterial spore;
- and
- a solvent;
- wherein the adhesive is provided in a ratio of about 25% to about 50% by volume to the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.