# Biomimetic Soft Actuator with Deformation and Motion Driven by Near-Infrared Light

## TL;DR

A flexible, stretchable soft actuator driven by near-infrared light was developed, enabling complex motions and deformations with potential for practical applications.

## Contribution

A novel nanocomposite film using MWCNTs and LCP enables NIR-driven soft actuators with fast response and complex motion capabilities.

## Key findings

- The MWCNT/LCP film can stretch up to 200% and respond to near-infrared light.
- The actuator can perform tasks like knot opening, shape deformation, and caterpillar-like movement.
- The actuator achieves a deformation cycle in 30 seconds and a walking speed of 13 seconds per millimeter.

## Abstract

Restricted by the inherent low sensitivity of materials and complex integration technology, it is difficult for existing soft actuators (s-actuators) to simultaneously possess the advantages of flexibility, fast response, and simple manufacturing, which greatly limits their practical applications. Herein, a stretchable (ε = 200%) nanocomposite film capable of deformation and motion driven by near infrared light (NIR) was developed using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as the light absorption–photothermal conversion nanonetwork, and liquid crystal polymer (LCP) as an elastic matrix featured reversible phase transition. Furthermore, s-actuators with various deformation and motion modes have been realized employing MWCNT/LCP nanocomposite film. Based on the mechanism that photothermal-effect-regulated liquid crystal–isotropic phase transition in LCP can induce macroscopic deformation of nanocomposites, MWCNT/LCP s-actuators have completed a series of complex deformation and motion tasks such as opening the knot, “V”-shape reversible deformation (30 s per cycle), the “spring” rotating and unfolding, imitating a “caterpillar” walking in a straight line (the average speed is 13 s/mm), etc. This work provides an effective strategy for the intelligent development of s-actuators.