title: Surface tension mediated conversion of light to work.
abstract: As energy demands increase, new, more direct, energy collection and utilization processes must be explored. We present a system that intrinsically combines the absorption of sunlight with the production of useful work in the form of locomotion of objects on liquids. Focused sunlight is locally absorbed by a nanostructured composite, creating a thermal surface tension gradient and, subsequently, motion. Controlled linear motion and rotational motion are demonstrated. The system is scale independent, with remotely powered and controlled motion shown for objects in the milligram to tens of grams range.
authors.affiliation: College of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Okawa
authors.forename: Stefan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Pastine
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zettl
authors.forename: Jean M J
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fréchet
mesh_terms: D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D009038:Motion; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000528:radiation effects; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D012399:Rotation; D012993:Solar Energy; D013472:Sunlight; D013500:Surface Tension