Polymer Twists and Bends in the Presence of Light

  • Magazine Article
  • TBMG-36852
Published May 01, 2020 by Tech Briefs Media Group in United States
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  • English

The twisting and bending capabilities of the human muscle system enable a dynamic range of motion, from walking and running to reaching and grasping. Replicating in a robot something as seemingly simple as waving a hand, however, requires a complex series of motors, pumps, actuators, and algorithms. Researchers have designed a polymer, known as a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), that can be “programmed” to twist and bend in the presence of light.