This technology describes a method for fabricating powerful actuators with complex geometries that require no electrical input to function by using photolithography to pattern water-responsive bacterial spores on polymer sheets.
Unmet Need: Buildings with a reduced environmental footprint
Adaptive architecture and design are used to create "smart" buildings that respond to the environment. By incorporating shape-changing features based on climate, energy needs can be reduced. However, traditional methods using electrical or pneumatic actuators and external control systems require energy, which conflicts with the goal of reducing environmental impact.
The Technology: Water-responsive bacterial spore actuators for architecture
This technology involves creating powerful, complex actuators without electricity by using photolithography to pattern water-responsive bacterial spores on polymer sheets. The spores create "joints" that bend in response to humidity changes and can generate similar force to traditional electrical actuators. The fast, simple, and scalable fabrication methods permit customizable designs. As such, this technology enables the creation of energy-efficient, adaptable architecture and design concepts without added costs or downsides of electrical systems.
Applications:
- Actuators for smart buildings
- Actuators for outdoor art installations
- Actuators for soft robotics (“artificial muscles”)
- Environmental sensors for medical devices
- Environmental sensors/actuators for industrial manufacturing settings (e.g. electronics, chemicals)
- Lenses/apertures that change shape in response to the environment
- If the technology can be shrunk, it could be utilized for pumps / gate controls for microfluidic devices
- Smart fabrics that adapt based on environment or perspiration
Advantages:
- Actuators are powerful and have complex geometries, without requiring electrical input to function
- Fast, simple, and scalable fabrication
- Produce comparable mechanical force to electrically-activated polymer actuators
- Easily customizable to create complex shapes
- Provides architects with the ability to create energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly smart building features without the added cost and drawbacks of electrical systems.
Lead Inventor:
Ozgur Sahin, Ph.D.
Patent Information:
Patent Status
Related Publications:
*Sahin O, Yong EH, Driks A, Mahadevan L.”Physical basis for the adaptive flexibility of Bacillus spore coats” Journal of the Royal Society Interface 2012 Aug; 9(76)
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