Development of Bio-mimicking Actuator
Development of Bio-mimicking Actuator
  • Reporter Lee Ha-jun
  • 승인 2018.03.28 13:07
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▲Prof. Park Moon-jeong
▲Prof. Park Moon-jeong

Professor Park Moon-jeong  (CHEM) and Kim Seung-jae  (CHEM, Ph. D candidate) has developed a macromolecule actuator (artificial muscle) that can maintain its movement without electric power supply. It emulates the spontaneous flexure or volume change of plants’ roots or leaves when the surrounding environment changes. The research team used LEAP, a bilayer macromolecule that is activated by light and electricity to develop the actuator. This actuator’s strain has increased by 350%, and its strength increased three folds than the preexisting actuator. One key factor is that when the actuator senses specific signal, it can lock its movement, just like a Flytrap. It locks its movement in the presence of light and electricity, and during this time, it does not require any electric power. Without any power supply, it can maintain holding an object, reducing the power consumption to mWh level. In addition, the team introduced micro patterns on the surface so that it can easily stick to other surfaces, having efficient movements. Prof. Park explained, “Instead of reducing the driving voltage, coping the plant root and Flytrap’s bilayer structure was the key to reducing power consumption. This research is expected to be applied to micro, medical, wearable, biomimetic robots.”