From Light to Energy, with No In-Between
Powering wireless and remote-controlled systems typically involves a middleman: a battery. For example, imagine a remote control car. The car must first be charged using electricity to store power in its battery. It can then run on this stored power to do tasks such as driving, braking, and more. However, one team of scientists from the Hayward Research Group at the University of Colorado at Boulder produced a new material that, among its many other potential implications, could enable this remote control car to be driven without a charge. In particular, they created an array of tiny crystals that are able to harness light energy, such as from a laser, and convert them directly into mechanical work without any heat or electricity.
According to the report by Hayward’s team, this photochemical material is composed of many small organic crystals that, when exposed to light, are able to move in certain ways. Encased in a polymer material, these organic crystals enlarge when exposed to light, becoming more durable and efficient in energy production. Furthermore, when this material is attached to a load, it can create mechanical force to act on these objects. In fact, the team demonstrated that their crystal array was able to lift a ball 1,000 times its own mass. The team also found that their material is much more responsive, durable, and stronger than previous actuators (devices that can convert energy into mechanical force).
Credit: University of Colorado at Boulder
So what does this mean for the world in terms of energy usage and conservation? One important direction for Hayward’s team is to improve the efficiency of the material: how much mechanical energy output is produced from an amount of light energy. Regardless, the current findings have shown that this material could prove to be a very valuable actuator. One potential benefit of implementing these materials in wireless systems is that it would render the need for a battery obsolete because the system would no longer require stored power to function. Another advantage is that this material could be environmentally-friendly due to its ability to harness light energy (such as from the Sun), thereby powering these systems with renewable energy instead of fossil fuels or such. Ultimately, this material represents a fascinating breakthrough in actuators, and could be a pivotal landmark for harnessing clean energy through renewable energy technology. To explore more about current conventional actuators, check out the video below.
