Nocturnal eye inspired liquid to gas phase change soft actuator with Laser-Induced-Graphene: enhanced environmental light harvesting and photothermal conversion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel light-powered soft actuator inspired by nocturnal animals' eyes, using Laser-Induced Graphene to achieve faster response times and improved environmental light harvesting for robotic mobility.

Contribution

The study presents a new bilayer soft actuator design with Laser-Induced Graphene that enhances photothermal conversion and response speed, advancing light-driven robotic actuators.

Findings

Achieved 54% faster response time than conventional actuators.

Enhanced environmental light harvesting through Laser-Induced Graphene.

Maintained silicone transparency and flexibility.

Abstract

Robotic systems' mobility is constrained by power sources and wiring. While pneumatic actuators remain tethered to air supplies, we developed a new actuator utilizing light energy. Inspired by nocturnal animals' eyes, we designed a bilayer soft actuator incorporating Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) on the inner surface of a silicone layer. This design maintains silicone's transparency and flexibility while achieving 54% faster response time compared to conventional actuators through enhanced photothermal conversion.