title: Shape-morphing nanocomposite origami.
abstract: Nature provides a vast array of solid materials that repeatedly and reversibly transform in shape in response to environmental variations. This property is essential, for example, for new energy-saving technologies, efficient collection of solar radiation, and thermal management. Here we report a similar shape-morphing mechanism using differential swelling of hydrophilic polyelectrolyte multilayer inkjets deposited on an LBL carbon nanotube (CNT) composite. The out-of-plane deflection can be precisely controlled, as predicted by theoretical analysis. We also demonstrate a controlled and stimuli-responsive twisting motion on a spiral-shaped LBL nanocomposite. By mimicking the motions achieved in nature, this method offers new opportunities for the design and fabrication of functional stimuli-responsive shape-morphing nanoscale and microscale structures for a variety of applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Andres
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shyu
authors.forename: Connor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kotov
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon