title: Reversible Self-Actuated Thermo-Responsive Pore Membrane.
abstract: Smart membranes, which can selectively control the transfer of light, air, humidity and temperature, are important to achieve indoor climate regulation. Even though reversible self-actuation of smart membranes is desirable in large-scale, reversible self-regulation remains challenging. Specifically, reversible 100% opening/closing of pore actuation showing accurate responsiveness, reproducibility and structural flexibility, including uniform structure assembly, is currently very difficult. Here, we report a reversible, thermo-responsive self-activated pore membrane that achieves opening and closing of pores. The reversible, self-actuated thermo-responsive pore membrane was fabricated with hybrid materials of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), (PNIPAM) within polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to form a multi-dimensional pore array. Using Multiphysics simulation of heat transfer and structural mechanics based on finite element analysis, we demonstrated that pore opening and closing dynamics can be self-activated at environmentally relevant temperatures. Temperature cycle characterizations of the pore structure revealed 100% opening ratio at T = 40 °C and 0% opening ratio at T = 20 °C. The flexibility of the membrane showed an accurate temperature-responsive function at a maximum bending angle of 45°. Addressing the importance of self-regulation, this reversible self-actuated thermo-responsive pore membrane will advance the development of future large-scale smart membranes needed for sustainable indoor climate control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.|Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Younggeun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.|Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.|Biophysics Graduate Program, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.|Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California at Berkeley, California, 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Luke P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lee