Lin Shihui, Wang Zhen, Chen Xinyan, Ren Jing, Ling Shengjie
School of Physical Science and Technology ShanghaiTech University 393 Middle Huaxia Road Shanghai 201210 China.
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2020 Jan 16;7(6):1902743. doi: 10.1002/advs.201902743. eCollection 2020 Mar.
Fiber microactuators are interesting in wide variety of emerging fields, including artificial muscles, biosensors, and wearable devices. In the present study, a robust, fast-responsive, and humidity-induced silk fiber microactuator is developed by integrating force-reeling and yarn-spinning techniques. The shape gradient, together with hierarchical rough surface, allows these silk fiber microactuators to respond rapidly to humidity. The silk fiber microactuator can reach maximum rotation speed of 6179.3° s in 4.8 s. Such a response speed (1030 rotations per minute) is comparable with the most advanced microactuators. Moreover, this microactuator generates 2.1 W kg of average actuation power, which is twice higher than fiber actuators constructed by cocoon silks. The actuating powers of silk fiber microactuators can be precisely programmed by controlling the number of fibers used. Lastly, theory predicts the observed performance merits of silk fiber microactuators toward inspiring the rational design of water-induced microactuators.
纤维微致动器在包括人造肌肉、生物传感器和可穿戴设备在内的各种新兴领域中备受关注。在本研究中，通过整合强制卷绕和纱线纺丝技术，开发出了一种坚固、快速响应且受湿度影响的丝纤维微致动器。形状梯度以及分层粗糙表面使这些丝纤维微致动器能够对湿度做出快速响应。丝纤维微致动器在4.8秒内可达到6179.3°/秒的最大转速。这样的响应速度（每分钟1030转）与最先进的微致动器相当。此外，这种微致动器产生的平均驱动功率为2.1瓦/千克，比由蚕茧丝构建的纤维致动器高出两倍。丝纤维微致动器的驱动功率可以通过控制使用的纤维数量来精确编程。最后，理论预测了丝纤维微致动器所观察到的性能优点，以启发水致微致动器的合理设计。
