Oscillating light engine realized by photothermal solvent evaporation

Jingjing Li, Linlin Mou, Zunfeng Liu (), Xiang Zhou () and Yongsheng Chen ()
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Jingjing Li: China Pharmaceutical University
Linlin Mou: Nankai University
Zunfeng Liu: Nankai University
Xiang Zhou: China Pharmaceutical University
Yongsheng Chen: Nankai University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Continuous mechanical work output can be generated by using combustion engines and electric motors, as well as actuators, through on/off control via external stimuli. Solar energy has been used to generate electricity and heat in human daily life; however, the direct conversion of solar energy to continuous mechanical work has not been realized. In this work, a solar engine is developed using an oscillating actuator, which is realized through an alternating volume decrease of each side of a polypropylene/carbon black polymer film induced by photothermal-derived solvent evaporation. The anisotropic solvent evaporation and fast gradient diffusion in the polymer film sustains oscillating bending actuation under the illumination of divergent light. This light-driven oscillator shows excellent oscillation performance, excellent loading capability, and high energy conversion efficiency, and it can never stop with solvent supply. The oscillator can cyclically lift up a load and output work, exhibiting a maximum specific work of 30.9 × 10−5 J g−1 and a maximum specific power of 15.4 × 10−5 W g−1 under infrared light. This work can inspire the development of autonomous devices and provide a design strategy for solar engines.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33374-x

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