The invention relates to a wood-based biomimetic artificial muscle and preparation method and application thereof. The biomimetic artificial muscle comprises a wood-based cellulose skeleton, and polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic polymer filled in the wood-based cellulose skeleton. The preparation method includes S1: slicing wood, and subjecting the obtained wood slices to ammonia treatment and delignification in sequence; S2: soaking in the solution of citric acid and/or citrate; S3: preparing water solution of an ionic polymer and DMSO water solution of polyvinyl alcohol separately, and mixing to obtain polymer solution; S4: subjecting the treated wood slices to vacuum treatment, filling the polymer solution into the container, releasing vacuum, and pressurizing to infiltrate the polymer into the wood slices until saturation; S5: freezing the wood slices in a refrigerator and thawing; and S6: repeating S5 for 5-10 times, washing the wood slices, and drying. The inventive biomimetic artificial muscle obtained by physical crosslinking not only has the same elasticity and electrostriction as the polymer, but also maintains the strength of the wood-based skeleton.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

The invention relates to a wood-based biomimetic artificial muscle and preparation method and application thereof. The biomimetic artificial muscle comprises a wood-based cellulose skeleton, and polyvinyl alcohol and at least one ionic polymer filled in the wood-based cellulose skeleton. The preparation method includes S1: slicing wood, and subjecting the obtained wood slices to ammonia treatment and delignification in sequence; S2: soaking in the solution of citric acid and/or citrate; S3: preparing water solution of an ionic polymer and DMSO water solution of polyvinyl alcohol separately, and mixing to obtain polymer solution; S4: subjecting the treated wood slices to vacuum treatment, filling the polymer solution into the container, releasing vacuum, and pressurizing to infiltrate the polymer into the wood slices until saturation; S5: freezing the wood slices in a refrigerator and thawing; and S6: repeating S5 for 5-10 times, washing the wood slices, and drying. The inventive biomimetic artificial muscle obtained by physical crosslinking not only has the same elasticity and electrostriction as the polymer, but also maintains the strength of the wood-based skeleton.

A delignified wood material is formed by removing substantially all of the lignin from natural wood. The resulting delignified wood retains cellulose-based lumina of the natural wood, with nanofibers of the cellulose microfibrils being substantially aligned along a common direction. The unique microstructure and composition of the delignified wood can provide advantageous thermal insulation and mechanical properties, among other advantages described herein. The thermal and mechanical properties of the delignified wood material can be tailored by pressing or densifying the delignified wood, with increased densification yielding improved strength and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the delignified wood also offers unique optical properties that enable passive cooling under solar illumination.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

A delignified wood material is formed by removing substantially all of the lignin from natural wood. The resulting delignified wood retains cellulose-based lumina of the natural wood, with nanofibers of the cellulose microfibrils being substantially aligned along a common direction. The unique microstructure and composition of the delignified wood can provide advantageous thermal insulation and mechanical properties, among other advantages described herein. The thermal and mechanical properties of the delignified wood material can be tailored by pressing or densifying the delignified wood, with increased densification yielding improved strength and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the delignified wood also offers unique optical properties that enable passive cooling under solar illumination.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.

Methods for determining the hardness and/or ductility of a material by compression of the material are provided as a first aspect of the invention. Typically, compression is performed on multiple sides of a geologic material sample in a contemporaneous manner. Devices and systems for performing such methods also are provided. These methods, devices, and systems can be combined with additional methods, devices, and systems of the invention that provide for the analysis of compounds contained in such samples, which can indicate the presence of valuable materials, such as petroleum-associated hydrocarbons. Alternatively, these additional methods, devices, and systems can also stand independently of the methods, devices, and systems for analyzing ductility and/or hardness of materials.