Created a material that changes its shape when exposed to light

There are quite different self-assembling structures made of materials that change shape under exposure to light. Such a mechanism is well suited to obtain three-dimensional shapes consisting of planes, such as cubes and pyramids. But in order to force the initially flat material to coagulate into something more complex shapes, scientists from North Carolina state University have developed a new technology that allows the light with different parameters to manage the process of "conversion" with a sufficiently high accuracy and selectivity.



 

The basis of this research formed the study of the same group of scientists conducted back in 2011. Then the scientists were able to create flat patterns of the material, which is folded into three-dimensional objects under the influence of infrared light. The key point then developed technology were areas of dark material included in the volume of the material or printed on its surface. These areas absorb light more intensely heated and distorted, moving the segment of the material to the required position. And the angle of deflection and the speed of movement was regulated by changing the width and thickness of each line light-absorbing material.

 

One of the disadvantages of this method is that exposure to light makes the move all the curves of the template at the same time. To obtain the selectivity of the process of bending the scientists were able through the color change material light-absorbing material and, respectively, the wavelength of light used. Printed on the material strip special inks of different colors, the researchers have achieved complete control sequence the process of changing. Lighting material bright blue light leads to the beginning of the folding of the material along the lines printed by the yellow ink and the red light causes the reaction of the plots covered with ink blue.



 

This approach allows scientists to develop a template structure with a carefully predetermined sequence of shape changes. In addition to using primary colors of ink, this technology allows the use of mixed colors, which in turn allows you to control the speed of movement of individual segments which can be different when using light of the same wavelength.


The possibility of creating self-assembling materials, the structure of which is enclosed "instructions" for the Assembly of the final product, has many options for its use. This technology can be used to create transformers bots, which are stored in a flat compact form and fold only if you want to use them. Something similar can also be used to deploy the solar panels of the spacecraft to create new electronic components and medical devices. published

 

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

Source: ecotechnology