Torsional carbon nanotube artificial muscles

Authors

Javad Foroughi, University of WollongongFollow
Geoffrey M. Spinks, University of WollongongFollow
G G. Wallace, University of WollongongFollow
Jiyoung Oh, University of Texas at Dallas
Mikhail E. Kozlov, University of Texas at Dallas
S Fang, University of Texas at Dallas
Tissaphern Mirfakhrai, University of British Columbia
John D Madden, University of British Columbia
Min-Kyoon Shin, Hanyang University
Seon Jeong Kim, Hanyang University
Ray H. Baughman, University of TexasFollow

RIS ID

42832

Publication Details

Foroughi, J., Spinks, G. M., Wallace, G. G., Oh, J., Kozlov, M. E., Fang, S., Mirfakhrai, T., Madden, J. D. W., Shin, M., Kim, S. and Baughman, R. H. (2011). Torsional carbon nanotube artificial muscles. Science, 334 (6055), 494-497.

Abstract

Rotary motors of conventional design can be rather complex and are therefore difficult to miniaturize; previous carbon nanotube artificial muscles provide contraction and bending, but not rotation. We show that an electrolyte-filled twist-spun carbon nanotube yarn, much thinner than a human hair, functions as a torsional artificial muscle in a simple three-electrode electrochemical system, providing a reversible 15,000deg rotation and 590 revolutions per minute. A hydrostatic actuation mechanism, as seen in muscular hydrostats in nature, explains the simultaneous occurrence of lengthwise contraction and torsional rotation during the yarn volume increase caused by electrochemical double-layer charge injection. The use of a torsional yarn muscle as a mixer for a fluidic chip is demonstrated.

Grant Number

ARC/FF0669110, ARC/DP110101073

Additional Grant Number

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/ARC/FF0669110

http://purl.org/au-research/grants/ARC/DP110101073