Innovation: a new photosensitive material allows you to switch directly from solar energy to mechanical energy
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the Hayward Research Group at the University of Boulder, Colorado have unveiled a new photomechanical material that has the potential to revolutionize various industries by converting light energy into mechanical energy. A system that allows objects to be lifted or folded when the material is exposed to sunlight, without the use of other technologies. The discovery was published in Nature Materials .
The researchers used light-sensitive, photomechanical crystals that deform when hit by light. Rather than attempting to develop large crystals that shatter and appear extremely fragile, they have taken thousands of small crystals and neatly "packaged" them in a plastic material (polyethylene terephthalate). In this way they obtained a plastic material that deforms neatly in the light, therefore a real "Motor", or actuator, with direct solar energy, without passing through electricity.
This innovative material, described in a study published in Nature Materials, opens the door to energy-efficient and wirelessly controlled systems, with possible interesting evolutions in robotics, aerospace and biomedical devices.
A step beyond traditional mechanics
Traditional methods of converting solar energy often involve multiple stages, leading to large inefficiencies. We need to switch from solar energy to electricity, transport it, use batteries, and all this involves complexity and considerable energy dispersion.
The new photomechanical material developed by CU Boulder scientists eliminates the need for bulky batteries or complex electrical systems.
"We cut out the intermediation, so to speak, and take the energy of light and transform it directly into mechanical strain," explained Professor Ryan Hayward, James and Catherine Patten Endowed Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado bouldering.
Unlike previous efforts with delicate crystalline solids that cracked when exposed to light, the team's approach involves using tiny organic crystals within a resilient polymeric material.
The unique orientation of the crystals allows them to perform mechanical tasks such as bending or lifting objects when illuminated. This feature makes them not only versatile but also incredibly efficient. The material's ability to lift objects much heavier than itself suggests the potential for real-world applications.
Future prospects and challenges
By harnessing the power of light to generate mechanical work, the material could pave the way for self-powered robotic systems and drones that are no longer burdened with heavy batteries.
“ What's interesting is that these new mechanical actuators are much better than what we had before. They respond quickly, last a long time and can lift heavy objects ,” the research team noted.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to fine-tune the material's responsiveness and efficiency. While the material's current state only allows it to transition from a flat state to a curved state, the team aims to improve its movement capabilities.
“ We still have a long way to go, particularly in terms of efficiency, before these materials can really compete with existing actuators. But this study is an important step in the right direction and provides us with a roadmap for how we might be able to get there in the coming years ,” acknowledged Hayward, of the journey ahead.
Research support received from beyond CU Boulder, including institutions such as the University of California Riverside and Stanford University. The project was funded by the Office of Naval Research, reflecting the widespread interest in and potential applications for this breakthrough technology.
As the world eagerly awaits further advances in this field, the innovative material from CU Boulder scientists offers a glimpse into a future where light energy becomes the driving force of wirelessly controlled, efficient mechanical systems.
With the potential to reshape tomorrow's energy industries and technologies, this breakthrough could soon usher in a new era of energy-efficient innovation.
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The article Innovation: a new photosensitive material allows to pass directly from solar energy to mechanical energy comes from Scenari Economici .
This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/innovazione-un-nuovo-materiale-fotosensibile-permette-di-passare-direttamente-dallenergia-solare-a-quella-meccanica/ on Sun, 20 Aug 2023 09:00:57 +0000.