title: A novel electromechanical actuation mechanism of a carbon nanotube fiber.
abstract: A spun carbon nanotube fiber functions as a torsional actuator in almost all available environmental media such as air, water, organic solvents, and electrolyte solutions. The Ampere's Law among helically aligned carbon nanotubes explains the simultaneous occurrence of lengthwise contraction and rotary torsion upon applying a low current. The produced stress is over 100 times that of the strongest natural skeletal muscle with high reversibility and good stability. The use of torsional fibers for electric motors is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Molecular, Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science and Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Wenhan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Fangyuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xuemei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Zhibin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xuli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Longbin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Xinhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Huisheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D004563:Electrochemistry; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D012399:Rotation
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon