Flexible Photothermal Phase Change Material with High Photothermal Properties Achieved by Promoted Dispersion of Hydrophobically Modified Eumelanin and its Photovoltaic Applications

Small, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 10, 2025

Abstract Photothermal phase change materials (PPCMs) are prevalent in energy harvesting and thermal management, owing to their dual functionality of solar‐to‐heat conversion latent heat storage capacity. However, conventional PPCMs still face challenges, including reliance on non‐renewable photothermal agents, low efficiency, leakage issues, inflexibility, which collectively hinder widespread application. Here, a flexible with high properties is prepared by modifying eumelanin oleoyl chloride improved interfacial compatibility Styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR), followed uniform incorporation paraffin wax (PW) into the matrix via physical mixing. The composite exhibits considerable elongation at break 412.0%, acceptable tensile strength 1 MPa, outstanding efficiency up 81.7% only 2 wt.% modified eumelanin. Furthermore, material maintains meagre rate 0.81% PW content 70 wt.%, accompanied favorable melting 144.98 J g −1 freezing 145.30 . Thanks these excellent properties, obtained has potential applications management. Moreover, its integration Seebeck thermoelectric generator produces enough output power range small appliances, miniature fans, electronic clocks light bulbs.

Language: Английский

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Overcoming Response-Recovery Kinetic Mismatch in Soft Actuators via Synergistic Material Design for Multimodal Moisture-Responsive Actuation

Nano Energy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 110998 - 110998

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Poka: A Necro‐Robot Beetle with a Measured Payload Ratio of 6847%

Published: April 24, 2025

This paper is concerned with the design, manufacture and validation of ‘Poka', a novel millimetre‐scale necro‐robot aimed at bridging performance gap between miniature robots insects. To create Poka, exoskeleton deceased five‐horned rhinoceros beetle ( Eupatorus gracilicornis ) used as mechanical chassis, which mechatronically functionalised to enable ambulation. When comparing payload ratio, PR, Poka against reported values Xyloryctes thestalus , it found that Poka's PR more than two‐fold higher, reaching measured maximum 6847% (i.e., 68.47 times its own body weight). The specific power payload, P s,t nevertheless same order magnitude in both (0.21 W/kg) (0.28 W/kg). highest average speed, (1.55 mm/s), achieved = 2739%, after progressively decreases increasing minimum 1.3 mm/s PR. those 17 other ambulating robots, far exceeds any robot date, being otherwise from SuperBot, who has 530%. therefore recorded date this attributed (a) use natural composite chassis high properties (b) additive bionic parts using low density but stiff polylactic acid, designed structurally stable geometries.

Language: Английский

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From Coils to Crawls: A Snake-Inspired Soft Robot for Multimodal Locomotion and Grasping

Nano-Micro Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(1)

Published: April 30, 2025

Abstract Currently, numerous biomimetic robots inspired by natural biological systems have been developed. However, creating soft with versatile locomotion modes remains a significant challenge. Snakes, as invertebrate reptiles, exhibit diverse and powerful abilities, including prey constriction, sidewinding, accordion locomotion, winding climbing, making them focus of robotics research. In this study, we present snake-inspired robot an initial coiling structure, fabricated using MXene-cellulose nanofiber ink printed on pre-expanded polyethylene film through direct writing technology. The controllable fabrication structure (ICSBot) has achieved theoretical calculations finite element analysis to predict analyze the ICSBot, programmable ICSBot designed fabricated. This functions gripper capable grasping objects complex shapes under near infrared light stimulation. Additionally, it demonstrates multi-modal crawling in various environments, confined spaces, unstructured terrains, both inside outside tubes. These results offer novel strategy for designing fabricating coiling-structured highlight their potential applications smart multifunctional robotics.

Language: Английский

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A sunflower-inspired nonwoven fabric evaporator for autonomous phototropic tracking and continuous efficient evaporation under sunlight

Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 163312 - 163312

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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