A novel electromechanical actuation mechanism of a carbon nanotube fiber

Wenhan Guo; Chao Liu; Fangyuan Zhao; Xuemei Sun; Zhibin Yang; Tao Chen; Xuli Chen; Longbin Qiu; Xinhua Hu; Huisheng Peng

doi:10.1002/adma.201201845

A novel electromechanical actuation mechanism of a carbon nanotube fiber

Adv Mater. 2012 Oct 9;24(39):5379-84. doi: 10.1002/adma.201201845. Epub 2012 Jul 31.

Authors

Wenhan Guo¹, Chao Liu, Fangyuan Zhao, Xuemei Sun, Zhibin Yang, Tao Chen, Xuli Chen, Longbin Qiu, Xinhua Hu, Huisheng Peng

Affiliation

¹ State Key Laboratory of Molecular, Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science and Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, P. R. China.

PMID: 22851502
DOI: 10.1002/adma.201201845

Abstract

A spun carbon nanotube fiber functions as a torsional actuator in almost all available environmental media such as air, water, organic solvents, and electrolyte solutions. The Ampere's Law among helically aligned carbon nanotubes explains the simultaneous occurrence of lengthwise contraction and rotary torsion upon applying a low current. The produced stress is over 100 times that of the strongest natural skeletal muscle with high reversibility and good stability. The use of torsional fibers for electric motors is demonstrated.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Electrochemistry
Mechanical Phenomena*
Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
Rotation

Substances

Nanotubes, Carbon