Intellectualization Of Micro-Actuation System And Its Applications

Self-propelled device is perceived as one of the important developing directions of nano-materials, nanotechnology and smart materials. This is because these devices can operate within a stipulated environment and carry out important tasks, such as handling cells, target drug delivery, bio-detection and water/oil separation, etc. The motion of the device is propelled by the micro-actuator system, and smart material is introduced to control the micro-actuator system and consequent the moving behavior of the device. However, single micro-actuator system is unable to realize controlled locomotion of the device; therefore, we propose the concept of functionally cooperating smart device, which means the micro-actuator provides driving force for the motion of the device, and the smart material acts as a switch to control the moving behavior. Furthermore, we introduce the micro-actuator system into macroscopic supramolecular assembly, realizing the construction of stable ordered macroscopic assembly; and convert mechanical energy to electricity through the Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, realizing the energy conversion process. The main missions are list as follows:1. Through utilizing the superhydrophobic surface with drag-reducing property and introducing the Marangoni effect or Pt/H2O2 as chemical propulsion, we realized the rapid locomotion of the objects. By integrating the pH-responsive smart surface with reversible superhydrophobic-superhydrophilic property as a switch to adjust the interaction between low-surface-energy compound and liquid or catalyst and hydrogen peroxide, we could control the initiation and cease of the smart device. Through combining the propulsion and smart materials, we fabricated a UV-responsive mini-motor; the ON-OFF-ON motion of the device could be regulated through adjusting the intensity of the UV illumination. This system effectively avoids the time-consuming process of the transformation of aqueous pH and wettability of the smart surface, thus realizing the rapid responsibility.2. Introducing the Marangoni effect into macroscopic supramolecular assembly, we realized the rapid locomotion of the macroscopic building blocks; through anisotropic modification of superhydrophobic surface and superhydrophilic surface and increasing the density of the building blocks, we realized the assembly process through superhydrophilic-superhydrophilic interaction; furthermore, the introduction of molecular recognition on the assembly interfaces, the macroscopic was stabilized through host-guest interaction.3. Introducing platinum-hydrogen peroxide into the energy conversion system to propel the rotation of mini-generator, we realized the energy conversion from chemical form of hydrogen peroxide to the mechanical one of the mini-generator; the relative locomotion between the magnets and solenoid coils induced the change of magnetic flux and consequently generated the induced electromotive force in the conductive wire; therefore, the conversion from mechanical energy of the device to electricity was realized.