Getting the most out of muscles Materials that convert electrical, chemical, or thermal energy into a shape change can be used to form artificial muscles. Such materials include bimetallic strips host-guest coiled fibers yarns (see Perspective by Tawfick and Tang). Kanik et al. developed polymer bimorph structure from an elastomer semicrystalline where difference in expansion enabled thermally actuated Iterative cold stretching clad could tailor dimensions mechanical response, making it...

Graphene oxide (GO), the main precursor of graphene-based materials made by solution processing, is known to be very stiff. Indeed, it has a Young's modulus comparable steel, on order 300 GPa. Despite its high stiffness, we show here that GO superflexible. We quantitatively measure bending rigidity characterizing flattening thermal undulations in response shear forces solution. Characterizations are performed combination synchrotron X-ray diffraction at small angles and situ rheology...

We have compared the properties and resistance to DA fouling of a carbon nanotube fiber (CNTF) microelectrode traditional (CF) microelectrode. These two materials show comparable electrochemical activities for outer-sphere inner-sphere redox reactions. Although CNTF might higher intrinsic RC constant, thus limiting its high-frequency behavior, shows significantly durability than CF in terms electrode stability. During constant oxidation 100 μM DA, signal measured by 2-h window over which no...

Graphene flakes with giant shape anisotropy are extensively used to establish connectedness electrical percolation in various heterogeneous systems. However, the behaviour of graphene has been recently predicted be far more complicated than generally anticipated on basis excluded volume arguments. Here we confirm experimentally that self-assemble into nematic liquid crystals below onset percolation. The competition and crystal transition provides a new route towards high-k materials. Indeed,...

Abstract Digital Light Processing (DLP) allows the fast realization of 3D objects with high spatial resolution. However, DLP is limited to transparent resins, and therefore not well suited for printing electrically conductive materials. Manufacturing materials will significantly broaden spectrum applications technology. But metals or carbon‐based fillers absorb scatter light; inhibiting thereby photopolymerization, lowering In this study, UV liquid crystal graphene oxide (GO) used as...

Abstract To meet the demands of miniaturization and integration next‐generation power systems, a major challenge is to improve energy density used dielectric capacitors. Polymer nanocomposites are great potential for high‐energy‐density However, most them prepared via melt blending at high temperatures or solution processing in hazardous organic solvents, which consuming environmentally problematic. It has long remained economically ecologically challenging develop new materials. Here, class...

In most additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, objects are realized layer by layer. This layer-by-layer construction leads to inherent anisotropic physical properties. Controlling, understanding and sometimes mitigating such anisotropy is a critical issue in the development of AM. Electrical conductive nanocomposites processed Vat photopolymerization demonstrated quantified present work. used method, which enjoys high resolution speed, layers an acrylate based resin, successively...

Abstract The increasing prevalence of electromagnetic wave exposure in our daily life, particularly within the 100 MHz to 300 GHz range, necessitates advancements microwave absorption materials (MAMs). This study explores utilization 3D printing and VAT photopolymerization optimize material properties for efficient absorption.
While electrically conductive nanocomposites comprising dielectric matrices fillers have shown promise, their printability poses challenges because strong UV...

Abstract Due to the low energy density of commercial printable dielectrics, printed capacitors occupy a significant printing area and weight in electronics. It has long remained challenging develop novel dielectric materials with printability high‐energy storage density. Herein, strategy for inkjet all aqueous colloidal inks composed carbon nanotube electrodes polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)‐based dielectrics is presented. The formulated ink negatively charged PVDF latex nanoparticles...

Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized using AgNO3 as the metallic source and onion-type multilamellar vesicles (MLV) microreactor, where Genamin T020 organic component is acting reductant. ions were introduced into MLV either by diffusion from dispersion medium, or directly mixing solution with followed a shear process. Both effect of synthetic routes aging upon nanoparticle size assemblies are studied TEM. In former case, silver increases ca. 3 nm to 9.6 increasing time (30 min 17 h...

Drying graphene oxide (GO) films are subject to extensive wrinkling, which largely affects their final properties. Wrinkles were shown be suitable in biotechnological applications; however, they negatively affect the electronic properties of films. Here, we report on wrinkle tuning and patterning GO under stress-controlled conditions during drying. flakes assemble at an air–solvent interface; assembly forms a skin surface may bend due volume shrinkage while We applied modification...

Abstract Lignin is a promising bio‐based precursor for sustainable carbon fibers. Limiting factors their development include the brittleness of lignin and lack large‐scale production routes. Here, simple economic wet‐spinning method, suitable fabrication fibers based on softwood Kraft (KL) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), proposed. These two polymers reveal partial miscibility in solution, form metastable dispersions solid state. KL‐PVA are prepared at weight ratio 70:30 carbonized without...

Dispersing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using surfactants into water requires ultrasonication that supplies mechanical energy to debundle and exfoliate CNTs. However, sonication is known damage CNTs cut them short fragments. Also, the CNT concentration in dispersion typically limited up 1.0 wt %. Here, we show by a sulfuric acid pretreatment, can enhance debundling of reduce subsequent achieve homogeneous dispersions without damaging Additionally, progressive controlled dialysis, are able...

High electromechanical coupling is critical to perform effective conversion between mechanical and electrical energy for various applications of electrostrictive polymers. Herein, a giant electrostriction effect reported in liquid crystalline graphene-doped dielectric elastomers. The materials are formulated by phase-transfer method which allows the solubilization graphenic monolayers nonpolar solvents. Dielectric spectroscopy combined with tensile test devices measure true coefficients...

Abstract Microenergy storage devices are appealing and highly demanded for diverse miniaturized electronic devices, ranging from microelectromechanical system, robotics, to sensing microsystems wearable electronics. However, making high‐energy microcapacitors with currently available printing technologies remains challenging. Herein, the possibility use latex polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as aqueous ink dielectric capacitors at microscale is shown. The properties of printed can be optimized...

Abstract Summary: Fibers and yarns are promising forms to use control the spatial orientation of carbon nanotubes in macroscopic materials. Various approaches have been proposed last few years achieve fibers with a fraction nanotubes. Among them, coagulation spinning aqueous media has proven be simple capable method leading super‐tough However, all water‐based processes described so far made surfactant‐stabilized In present work, is shown spin from surfactant‐free nanotube solutions while...

We report an easy method to prepare thin, flexible and transparent electrodes that show enhanced inertness toward oxidation using modified silver nanowires (Ag NWs). Stabilization is achieved through the adsorption of triphenylphosphine (PPh3) onto Ag NW hybrid dispersions prior their 2D organization as on polyethylene terephtalate (PET) films. After 110 days in air (20 °C) under atmospheric conditions, transmittance PET/Ag NW/PPh3 based films nearly unchanged, while NW-based decreases by...

Near-percolated CNT-polymer composites are promising high-permittivity materials. The main challenge in the field consists of finding compromises that allow high permittivity and low losses frequency ranges interest. Using an emulsion approach optimizing size droplets curing procedure, we obtain unprecedented performances measure giant larger than 20,000 at 100 Hz along with a conductivity below 10(-4) S/m.

Using an emulsion road and optimizing the dispersion process, we prepare polymer carbone nanotubes (CNT) reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites. The introduction of conductive nanoparticles into matrices modifies electronic properties material. We show that these materials exhibit giant electrostriction coefficients in intermediate filler concentration (below 1 wt %). This makes them very promising for applications such as capacitive sensors actuators. In addition, values piezoresistivity...