Provided are devices and methods that combine material anisotropy with nonlinear structural design to produce structures that precisely and sequentially actuate in response to multiple stimuli, such as water or non-polar solvents. These devices and methods can include bistable anisotropic elements that convert to monostable element upon exposure to a particular stimulus, and anisotropic distortions can be harnessed to change the geometric properties of the element to cross phase boundaries and trigger shape changes at precise times. One can incorporate complex logic into these devices and methods.

The present invention relates to an actuator using a photo-responsive shape-changing construct, the actuator comprising: a 1-1 polymer film and a 1-2 polymer film, configured to undergo a bending deformation in response to a light irradiation; a first restricting member provided between the 1-1 polymer film and the 1-2 polymer film so as to allow the 1-1 polymer film and the 1-2 polymer film to be connected to each other; and a rotation member configured to rotate as the rotation member, at least in part, is pushed by an end of the 1-1 polymer film along with the bending deformation of the 1-1 polymer film.

A nano manipulator comprises a base and a clamping structure. The clamping structure comprises two nanofiber actuators located on the base and spaced from each other. Each of the two nanofiber actuators comprises a composite structure and a vanadium dioxide layer. The composite structure comprises a carbon nanotube wire and an aluminum oxide layer. The aluminum oxide layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotube wire, and the aluminum oxide layer and the carbon nanotube wire are located coaxially with each other. The vanadium dioxide layer is coated on a surface of the composite structure, and the vanadium dioxide layer and the composite structure are located non-coaxially with each other.

The devices and systems described herein generally relate to programmable surfaces. A set of tiles in conjunction with actuators, allow for the surface to be constantly changeable from a first shape to an unlimited variety of second shapes. Once a desired second shape is achieved, the shape can be held by actuating the actuators. The system can include detection and maintenance of the shapes of the programmable surface by controlling which of the actuators are released and when they are released.

The invention provides a light-stimuli responsive coordination polymer, and preparation method and use thereof. The coordination polymer has a chemical formula of [Zn(tkpvb) (Fb).sub.2].sub.n1, wherein Fb represents p-fluorobenzoate, tkpvb represents 1,2,4,5-tetrakis((E)-2-(4-pyridyl)vinyl)benzene, and n=3000-60000; and crystallographic parameters of: (1) crystal system: monoclinic system; (2) space group: C2/c; (3) =28.577(3), b=7.4084(6) , c=22.612(3) , =126.771(2), and V=3834.8(7) .sup.3; (4) Z=4; and (5) F(000)=1720, R.sub.1=0.0440, wR.sub.2=0.1042, and GOF=1.047. The method is simple, and has mild reaction conditions, and fast light conversion rate. The means of light-stimuli responsiveness are non-contact and non-damage type, the volume adjustment is highly accurate, and the whole adjustment process does not require any chemical reagents, and is safe and reliable. Photoactuators can complete a variety of behaviors under the irradiation of ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 365 nm.

The invention provides a light-stimuli responsive coordination polymer, and preparation method and use thereof. The coordination polymer has a chemical formula of [Zn(tkpvb) (Fb).sub.2].sub.n1, wherein Fb represents p-fluorobenzoate, tkpvb represents 1,2,4,5-tetrakis((E)-2-(4-pyridyl)vinyl)benzene, and n=3000-60000; and crystallographic parameters of: (1) crystal system: monoclinic system; (2) space group: C2/c; (3) a=28.577(3)?, b=7.4084(6) ?, c=22.612(3) ?, ?=126.771(2)?, and V=3834.8(7) ?.sup.3; (4) Z=4; and (5) F(000)=1720, R.sub.1=0.0440, wR.sub.2=0.1042, and GOF=1.047. The method is simple, and has mild reaction conditions, and fast light conversion rate. The means of light-stimuli responsiveness are non-contact and non-damage type, the volume adjustment is highly accurate, and the whole adjustment process does not require any chemical reagents, and is safe and reliable. Photoactuators can complete a variety of behaviors under the irradiation of ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 365 nm.

A polymer device includes: a pair of electrode layers; a polymer layer inserted between the pair of electrode layers; and an expansion-contraction suppression layer arranged between the pair of electrode layers, the expansion-contraction suppression layer being arranged away from the respective electrode layers, and the expansion-contraction suppression layer being configured to suppress expansion and contraction of the polymer layer.

A polymer element includes a pair of electrode layers of which at least one includes a porous carbon material, and a polymer layer between the pair of electrode layers, in which the porous carbon material is provided with a first hole in a surface and a second hole which is smaller than the first hole and which communicates with the first hole.

A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator can include an element (e.g., an SMA wire) configured to actuate when provided a current. The SMA element can be joined to the beam (e.g., made of stainless steel) using a resistance welding process that includes joining two metals by passing electrical current through them. A resistance welder, with smaller step sizes of power, lower total power, smaller step sizes of electrode clamp force, and lower time to time variability can produce additional test samples. Further, an approach can be taken to rebalance the heat of the system. The bottom electrode resistance (R6) can be increased by changing the electrode material from tungsten copper to a more resistive tungsten alloy. Further, a tungsten alloy can be used. The short duration pulse weld recipe with the higher resistivity bottom electrode can be the baseline resistance welding process for attaching SMA wire to stainless steel.

An actuator includes a first deformable material layer, a second deformable material layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first deformable material layer and the second deformable material layer. The first deformable material layer includes a first deformable material containing a first stimulus-responsive compound, which changes its molecular structure and also its color tone according to an oxidation-reduction reaction, a first polymeric material, a first electronically conductive substance having a light transmitting property, and a first electrolyte. The second deformable material layer includes a second deformable material containing a second stimulus-responsive compound, which changes its molecular structure and also its color tone according to an oxidation-reduction reaction, a second polymeric material, a second electronically conductive substance having a light transmitting property, and a second electrolyte. The intermediate layer inhibits electron transfer between the first deformable material layer and the second deformable material layer.