Review
Version 1
Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Helical Actuators Inspired by Chiral Seedpod Opening and Tendril Coiling
Version 1
: Received: 4 July 2018 / Approved: 5 July 2018 / Online: 5 July 2018 (10:53:59 CEST)
A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.
Wan, G.; Jin, C.; Trase, I.; Zhao, S.; Chen, Z. Helical Structures Mimicking Chiral Seedpod Opening and Tendril Coiling. Sensors 2018, 18, 2973. Wan, G.; Jin, C.; Trase, I.; Zhao, S.; Chen, Z. Helical Structures Mimicking Chiral Seedpod Opening and Tendril Coiling. Sensors 2018, 18, 2973.
Abstract
Actuators are essential components for intelligent machines that can fulfill certain tasks in response to environmental stimuli. In recent years, actuators that can transform from a 2D ribbon shape to a 3D helical configuration under certain external stimuli have attracted significant attention due to the potential applications of the targeted helical structures in springs, propulsion generation, and artificial muscles. Inspired by the chiral opening of Bauhinia variegate‘s seedpods and the coiling of the Towel Gourd tendril with perversions, researchers have made significant breakthroughs in synthesizing state-of-the-art actuators capable of mimicking helical transformations. In this review, we give a brief overview of the shape evolution mechanisms of these two plant structures and then review recent progress in the fabrication of biomimetic helical actuators. These structures are categorized by the stimuli-responsive materials involved, including hydrogels, liquid crystal networks/elastomers, shape memory polymers, and multiwall carbon nanotubes. By providing this survey on important recent advances along with our perspectives, we hope to solicit new inspirations and insights on the development and fabrication of smart actuators, as well as the future development of interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics, engineering, and biology.
Keywords
bioinspired; seedpod opening; tendril coiling; helical actuators; stimuli-responsive materials
Subject
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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