Bioinspired Poly(vinyl alcohol) Film Actuator Powered by Water Evaporation under Ambient Conditions

• DOI: 10.1002/mame.202000145
• Publication Date: 2020-04-30T11:55:08Z
• Authors: Sitong Wang; Shuang Yan; Li Zhang; Huhu Zhao; Tian Yang; Feibo Li; Huanjun Li
• Keywords: Vinyl alcohol

Abstract Soft humidity‐responsive materials are highly desirable for applications such as actuators, sensors, generators, and soft robots. However, it remains a huge challenge to develop durable, cost‐effective, fast responsive version of smart material powered by water evaporation at ambient conditions. Herein, this is addressed demonstrate sustained response humidity gradient from using common poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film an actuator. The resultant PVA displays strong mechanical properties in both dry wet conditions, which cause rapid adsorption desorption vapor drive the undergoing swift locomotion with flipping frequency up 65 r min ‐1 . Based on these features, mimosa inspired actuator developed far superior speed durability than real mimosa. Furthermore, demonstrated that can convert energy into electricity when attached piezoelectric element.