Bioinspired rotary flight of light-driven composite films

Dan Wang, Zhaomin Chen, Mingtong Li, Zhen Hou, Changsong Zhan, Qijun Zheng, Dalei Wang, Xin Wang, Mengjiao Cheng, Wenqi Hu, Bin Dong (), Feng Shi () and Metin Sitti ()
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Dan Wang: Soochow University
Zhaomin Chen: Soochow University
Mingtong Li: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Zhen Hou: Soochow University
Changsong Zhan: Soochow University
Qijun Zheng: Monash University
Dalei Wang: Soochow University
Xin Wang: Soochow University
Mengjiao Cheng: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Wenqi Hu: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Bin Dong: Soochow University
Feng Shi: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Metin Sitti: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Light-driven actuators have great potential in different types of applications. However, it is still challenging to apply them in flying devices owing to their slow response, small deflection and force output and low frequency response. Herein, inspired by the structure of vine maple seeds, we report a helicopter-like rotary flying photoactuator (in response to 0.6 W/cm2 near-infrared (NIR) light) with ultrafast rotation (~7200 revolutions per minute) and rapid response (~650 ms). This photoactuator is operated based on a fundamentally different mechanism that depends on the synergistic interactions between the photothermal graphene and the hygroscopic agar/silk fibroin components, the subsequent aerodynamically favorable airscrew formation, the jet propulsion, and the aerodynamics-based flying. The soft helicopter-like photoactuator exhibits controlled flight and steering behaviors, making it promising for applications in soft robotics and other miniature devices.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40827-4

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