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Esophagus‐Inspired Actuator for Solid Transportation via the Synergy of Lubrication and Contractile Deformation.

Esophagus‐Inspired Actuator for Solid Transportation via the Synergy of Lubrication and Contractile Deformation.

Authors :
Liu, Hui
Zhang, Yunlei
Ma, Shuanhong
Alsaid, Yousif
Pei, Xiaowei
Cai, Meirong
He, Ximin
Zhou, Feng
Source :
Advanced Science. Dec2021, Vol. 8 Issue 24, p1-10. 10p.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Directional transportation of objects has important applications from energy transfer and intelligent robots to biomedical devices. Although breakthroughs in liquid migration on 2D surfaces or 3D tubular devices have been achieved, realizing smooth/on‐demand transportation of constrained solids within a 3D cavity environment under harsh pressurized environment still remains a daunting challenge, where strong interface friction force becomes the main obstacle restricting the movement of solids. Inspired by typical feeding mechanism in natural esophagus system which synergistically couples a lubricating mucosa surface with the peristaltic contraction deformation of the cavity, herein, this challenge is addressed by constructing an esophagus‐inspired layered tubular actuator with a slippery inner surface and responsive hydrogel matrix to realize spherical solid propulsion by photo(thermo)‐induced cavity deformation. The as‐constructed tubular actuator containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles exhibits local volumetric shrinkage upon NIR‐irradiation, which can generate large hydrodynamic pressure and considerable mechanical extrusion force (Fdriving force ≈ 0.18 N) to overcome low interface friction force (ffriction force ≈ 0.03 N), enabling on‐demand transportation of constrained (pressure: 0.103 MPa) spherical solids over a long distance in an arbitrary direction. This actuator is anticipated to be used as bionic medicine transportation devices or artificial in vitro esophagus simulation systems, for example, to help formula eating‐related physiotherapy plans for patients and astronauts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
21983844
Volume :
8
Issue :
24
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Advanced Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
154274279
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202102800