Mar 12, 2021
“Photonic Sunflower” – Controlled by Light Alone, New Smart Materials Twist, Bend and Move
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: robotics/AI, solar power, sustainability
Technology paves way for intelligent solar cells, other highly efficient devices programmed at the macro and nano scale.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Engineering have created light-activated composite devices able to execute precise, visible movements and form complex three-dimensional shapes without the need for wires or other actuating materials or energy sources. The design combines programmable photonic crystals with an elastomeric composite that can be engineered at the macro and nano scale to respond to illumination.