MXenes-based photothermal actuators, photothermal devices and their applications

Abstract

This invention discloses a photothermal actuator, a photothermal transducer, and their applications based on MXenes, relating to the field of smart materials and devices. The photothermal actuator includes a first thin film and a second thin film composed of a polymer and MXene material dispersed in the polymer. The first thin film and the polymer form the driving layer of the photothermal actuator, and the MXene material forms the inert layer. The inert layer converts light energy into heat energy, causing the driving layer to thermally expand and deform. The photothermal transducer includes a controller, a driving light source, and the photothermal actuator. The photothermal actuator can be controlled via a flexible optical fiber and can be further integrated with various sensors or flexible circuits to achieve specific functions. This invention solves the problems of low efficiency and poor reliability of existing photothermal actuators, and proposes applications such as photothermally controlled flexible crawling robots, intelligent mechanical clamps, and intelligent lighting systems based on the photothermal actuator and the photothermal transducer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart materials and devices, and in particular to a photothermal actuator, a photothermal alteration device, and their applications based on MXenes. Background Technology

[0002] Photothermal actuators are intelligent devices that convert light energy into heat energy to induce deformation or motion. They are widely used in fields such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), robotics, and sensors.

[0003] Existing photothermal actuators are typically made of metals, carbon-based materials, or polymers. Their basic implementation involves the material absorbing a large number of photons under illumination, inducing deformation through a photothermal conversion effect. However, these materials have limitations in photothermal conversion efficiency, response speed, and stability. These technical challenges limit the performance of photothermal actuators in practical applications, especially their susceptibility to degradation or performance decline during long-term use, affecting service life and reliability. Furthermore, the complex and costly manufacturing process restricts large-scale production and application, and significant energy loss occurs during the conversion of light energy to heat energy, impacting overall operating efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a photothermal actuator, a photothermal alteration device, and their applications based on MXenes, aiming to solve the problems of low efficiency and poor reliability of existing photothermal actuators.

[0005] The photothermal actuator based on MXenes proposed in this invention includes:

[0006] First thin film;

[0007] A second film is fixed onto the first film; the second film is composed of a polymer and an MXene material dispersed in the polymer; the MXene material is used to convert light energy into heat energy.

[0008] The first film and the polymer form the driving layer of the photothermal actuator; the MXene material forms the inert layer of the photothermal actuator; the coefficient of thermal expansion of the driving layer is greater than that of the inert layer, and the inert layer converts light energy into heat energy to cause the driving layer to thermally expand and deform.

[0009] Optionally, the MXene material is Nb2CT. x Ti3C2T x V2C, Nb2N, Mo2TiC2T x At least one of them;

[0010] The polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF); the first film is a polyethylene (PE) film.

[0011] The photothermal alteration device proposed in this invention includes a controller, a driving light source, and the aforementioned MXenes-based photothermal actuator;

[0012] The controller is electrically or communicatively connected to the driving light source and is used to send control commands to the driving light source; after receiving the control commands, the driving light source emits light of a preset wavelength and intensity to drive the photothermal actuator to undergo photothermal deformation.

[0013] Optionally, the photothermal alteration device further includes a flexible optical fiber;

[0014] The flexible optical fiber is connected to the driving light source and attached to the photothermal actuator; the light emitted by the driving light source is transmitted to the photothermal actuator through the flexible optical fiber to drive the photothermal actuator to undergo photothermal deformation.

[0015] Optionally, the photothermal alteration device further includes a sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller;

[0016] The sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a humidity sensor, an angle sensor, a gas sensor, and a pressure sensor.

[0017] Optionally, the photothermal actuator further includes a flexible circuit, which is attached to the photothermal actuator;

[0018] The photothermal actuator connects the flexible circuit to an external circuit after photothermal deformation, or disconnects the flexible circuit from the external circuit after photothermal deformation.

[0019] The present invention also proposes a flexible crawling robot, the flexible crawling robot including a head, a tail, and the photothermal alteration device described above; the photothermal alteration device includes at least one photothermal actuator, the photothermal actuator being disposed between the head and the tail;

[0020] The photothermal actuator undergoes periodic photothermal deformation under the drive of a driving light source, causing the head and tail to creep forward.

[0021] Optionally, the photothermal actuator has a wavy shape.

[0022] The present invention also proposes an intelligent mechanical clamp, which includes an arm, a clamping part located at one end of the arm, and the photothermal alteration device described above; the photothermal alteration device includes a plurality of photothermal actuators;

[0023] The clamping part is equipped with multiple photothermal actuators. At least one photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the drive of the driving light source and cooperates with other photothermal actuators to grasp the object. When the driving light source is turned off, all photothermal actuators automatically return to their original state and release the object.

[0024] And / or, the clamping part includes multiple mechanical fingers, each mechanical finger containing multiple phalanges, and every two phalanges are connected by a photothermal actuator; the photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the illumination of the driving light source, and drives the adjacent phalanges to move;

[0025] And / or, a photothermal actuator is provided between the clamping part and the arm, and the photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the illumination of the driving light source to control the orientation of the clamping part.

[0026] The present invention also proposes an intelligent lighting system, which includes a lighting source, a power supply, a conductive line, and a switch disposed on the conductive line. The power supply supplies power to the lighting source through the conductive line, and the switch is composed of the photothermal actuator described above and a conductive wire disposed on the photothermal actuator.

[0027] The photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the irradiation of light of a preset wavelength, connecting the conductive wire to the conductive circuit to light up the lighting source, or disconnecting the electrical connection between the conductive wire and the conductive circuit to extinguish the lighting source.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] This invention employs MXene (transition metal carbide or nitride) as the core material of a photothermal actuator. Leveraging its excellent stability and surface plasmon resonance effect, the actuator exhibits high photothermal conversion efficiency, rapid response, and good stability. Based on the advantages of MXene, it is combined with polymer materials to form a flexible composite film. MXene converts light energy into heat energy. By designing the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the driving layer and the inert layer, the photothermal actuator can undergo photothermal deformation under illumination. This device has a simple design structure, is easy to fabricate, and is suitable for various applications of photothermal actuation devices and intelligent systems, such as flexible movement in robotics, automatic adjustment in intelligent buildings, real-time response in environmental monitoring, and efficient mechanical movement in automated production. These applications demonstrate the wide applicability and innovative potential of photothermal actuators in different fields. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the photothermal deformation of the MXenes-based photothermal actuator of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a SEM image of a cross-section of a PVDF / MXene composite film prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fabrication process of an embodiment of the MXenes-based photothermal actuator of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 Nb2CT used in an embodiment of the photothermal actuator based on MXenes of the present invention x SEM image of nanosheet powder;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a statistical graph showing the photothermal driving performance of an embodiment of the MXenes-based photothermal actuator of the present invention under different near-infrared light power densities;

[0036] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the intelligent lighting system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0038] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. (if present) in the specification and accompanying drawings of this application are used only to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that these terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to indicate non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may also include other steps or units not explicitly listed, or other steps or units inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0039] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that three possibilities exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, or any combination thereof, such as "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In the description of this specification, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in a suitable manner in any embodiment or multiple embodiments or examples.

[0040] Photothermal actuators are widely used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), robotics, and sensors. In MEMS, photothermal actuators enable microscale motion control and energy conversion, finding applications in devices such as micropumps, microvalves, and microactuators to achieve precise fluid control and mechanical motion. Through photothermal conversion, photothermal actuators can drive robots to perform complex movements such as bending, extending, and rotating, adapting to different working environments. They also offer rapid responses to environmental changes, improving sensor performance and reliability, making them suitable for developing high-sensitivity temperature, pressure, and light sensors. In the medical field, photothermal actuators can be used in minimally invasive surgical equipment and drug delivery systems, enabling precise control at specific locations, reducing damage to surrounding tissues, and improving treatment outcomes. Wearable devices, such as smart clothing and health monitoring devices, can also utilize photothermal actuators, providing real-time data feedback and adaptive adjustment in response to changes in ambient light.

[0041] Existing photothermal actuators are typically made of metals, carbon-based materials, or polymers, which have certain limitations in terms of photothermal conversion efficiency, response speed, and stability.

[0042] This invention proposes a photothermal actuator based on MXenes, aiming to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0043] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the MXenes-based photothermal actuator includes:

[0044] First thin film;

[0045] The second film is fixed on the first film; the second film is composed of a polymer and MXene material uniformly dispersed in the polymer; the MXene material is used to convert light energy into heat energy;

[0046] The first thin film and the polymer form the driving layer of the photothermal actuator; the MXene material forms the inert layer of the photothermal actuator; the coefficient of thermal expansion of the driving layer is greater than that of the inert layer, and the inert layer converts light energy into heat energy to cause the driving layer to thermally expand and deform.

[0047] In this embodiment, MXene (transition metal carbide or nitride) is a novel two-dimensional material with excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical properties and photothermal conversion capabilities.

[0048] In one embodiment, the MXene material is Nb2CT. x or Ti3C2T x Or V2C, or Nb2N, or Mo2TiC2T x , or a combination of two or more of these materials.

[0049] In one embodiment, the polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF); in other embodiments, the polymer may also be one or a combination of polymers such as polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer, polyacrylate, polyurethane, and polyimide.

[0050] The working principle of the MXenes-based photothermal actuator proposed in this embodiment is as follows:

[0051] According to the driving mechanism of photothermal expansion deformation, the greater the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the driving layer and the inert layer, the greater the deformation difference and bending curvature between the two layers. In this embodiment, a first thin film and a polymer with a large CTE are selected as the driving layer, and MXene material with a small CTE is selected as the inert layer. Under certain illumination conditions, MXene material absorbs a large number of photons due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, and converts the photon energy into heat through nonradiative transitions, causing thermal expansion of the first thin film and the polymer, which ultimately leads to device deformation.

[0052] CTE refers to the relative expansion rate (the ratio of expansion amplitude to original size) per unit increase in temperature. The larger the value, the more significant the thermal expansion effect.

[0053] SPR refers to the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance occurring at the interface of materials with different conductivity (in practice, often on the surface of conductors) under the stimulation of incident light. Surface plasmon polarization is a non-radiative electromagnetic surface wave that propagates parallel to the interface of negative conductivity / dielectric material. Since this wave is located at the boundary between the conductor and the external medium (such as air, water, or vacuum), these oscillations are very sensitive to any changes in this boundary, such as the adsorption of molecules on the conductive surface.

[0054] The embodiments of this invention use MXene (transition metal carbide or nitride) material as the core material of the photothermal actuator. By utilizing its good stability and surface plasmon resonance effect, it achieves efficient photothermal conversion, fast response and good stability. The photothermal actuator proposed in the embodiments of this invention exhibits rapid and reversible bending deformation characteristics under light irradiation, and is suitable for various precision control and dynamic adjustment scenarios.

[0055] Based on the above embodiments, using Nb2CT x For example, see Figure 3 The method for fabricating a photothermal actuator based on MXenes proposed in this invention includes the following steps:

[0056] PVDF and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) were mixed and stirred until completely dissolved to obtain a PVDF / DMF solution; then Nb2CT was gradually added. x Nanosheet powder is dispersed by ultrasound to form a mixed solution; Figure 4 The Nb2CT used in this embodiment x SEM image of nanosheet powder.

[0057] The mixed solution was cast onto a glass substrate, vacuum dried, and then peeled off to form a PVDF / MXene composite film. The resulting composite film was characterized and its properties were tested. Figure 2 This is a SEM image of the cross-section of the composite film.

[0058] The prepared PVDF / MXene composite film is cut to the required size; and the PVDF / MXene composite film is bonded and fixed onto the PE film to ensure the structural stability of the film.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the film-forming method for the mixed solution is solution casting, which simplifies the manufacturing process of the photothermal actuator, reduces production costs, and facilitates large-scale production. Alternatively, methods such as spraying, spin coating, or deposition can be used to adapt to different manufacturing scales and complexity requirements, providing more choices and flexibility.

[0060] After completing the above preparation steps, the assembled photothermal actuator was placed under a light source, and its photothermal driving performance was measured, including bending angle, bending curvature, bending speed, and temperature change, to evaluate its actual effect and stability in photothermal driving applications; see reference Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a statistical graph showing the performance of the photothermal actuator under different near-infrared light power densities.

[0061] In this embodiment, Nb2CT x It possesses excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and photothermal conversion capabilities, while also exhibiting superior chemical and physical stability, which can significantly extend the service life of photothermal actuators and enhance their reliability in complex environments.

[0062] Multislice Nb2CT x A photothermal actuator fabricated from nanosheets exhibits a progressively layered CTE microstructure. Under specific illumination conditions (such as near-infrared light), multilayer Nb2CT... x The nanosheets absorb a large number of photons due to the SPR effect and convert the photon energy into heat through nonradiative transitions. The generated heat is produced by Nb2CT. x The thermal expansion of PVDF and PE, layer by layer, causes the photothermal actuator to deform. (See [reference needed]) Figure 1 , Figure 1 For Nb2CT x A schematic diagram of the bending deformation of a photothermal actuator. This actuator exhibits rapid and reversible bending deformation characteristics under light irradiation, making it suitable for precision control and dynamic adjustment scenarios.

[0063] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this invention combines MXene material with a polymer matrix material, utilizing the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the MXene material and the driving layer to deform the photothermal actuator. The MXene photothermal actuator proposed in this invention has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and fully utilizes the excellent conductivity, mechanical properties, and photothermal conversion capability of MXene material, giving the photothermal actuator high photothermal conversion efficiency, fast response capability, and good stability. This invention also minimizes energy loss during heat transfer by optimizing material selection and structural design, improving the overall energy utilization efficiency and response speed of the photothermal actuator, and further enhancing the mechanical properties and reliability of the photothermal actuator in complex environments. Based on these advantages, the photothermal actuator proposed in this invention is suitable for various application scenarios and can promote the development and innovation of related technologies.

[0064] In addition to the basic photothermal conversion function, the MXenes-based photothermal actuators described in the above embodiments can also integrate other materials or components to achieve a wider range of functional requirements.

[0065] In one embodiment, the photothermal actuator can be used as the blade of a veneer. The photothermal actuator integrates a photochromic film, which automatically adjusts the opening angle of the window or shading layer and the light transmittance of the photochromic film when the external environment changes, so as to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce energy consumption.

[0066] In one embodiment, the photothermal actuator is used in an in vivo drug delivery system. The capsule containing the drug is provided with a photothermal actuator release window. The drug release rate can be controlled by light irradiation. The photothermal actuator can also integrate temperature-sensitive materials (such as liposomes that undergo phase transition at a specific temperature, hydrogels that change pore size at a specific temperature, etc.) to achieve a multi-stimulus response for drug release targeting febrile lesions.

[0067] In other embodiments, the photothermal actuator described in the above embodiments can be combined with a controller and a drive light source to form a photothermal chromatic device, thereby enabling active adjustment of the deformation degree of the photothermal actuator. The controller is electrically or communicatively connected to the drive light source and is used to send control commands to the drive light source; after receiving the control commands, the drive light source emits light of a preset wavelength and intensity to drive the photothermal actuator to deform.

[0068] In one specific embodiment, the photothermal alteration device further includes a flexible optical fiber; the flexible optical fiber is connected to a driving light source and attached to the photothermal actuator; the light emitted by the driving light source is transmitted through the flexible optical fiber to the surface of the photothermal actuator to drive its deformation.

[0069] In one specific embodiment, the photothermal induced change device further includes a sensor electrically connected to the controller; the sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a humidity sensor, an angle sensor, a gas sensor, and a pressure sensor.

[0070] In one specific embodiment, the sensor is a temperature sensor.

[0071] In one embodiment of this example, a temperature sensor is used to detect changes in ambient temperature and send the temperature sensing signal to a controller. The controller controls the drive light source to adjust the degree of deformation of the photothermal actuator, thereby changing the opening angle of the window blades or the shading layer.

[0072] In one embodiment of this example, a temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the air conditioner outlet and send the temperature sensing signal to the controller. The controller controls the drive light source to adjust the deformation degree of the photothermal actuator to change the opening angle of the air conditioner outlet baffle.

[0073] In one embodiment of this example, the photothermal actuator is integrated into the clothing fabric. A temperature sensor is used to detect changes in ambient temperature and send the temperature sensing signal to a controller. The controller controls the drive light source to adjust the degree of deformation of the photothermal actuator to change the air permeability of the clothing fabric.

[0074] In one embodiment of this example, a temperature sensor is used to detect the distance between the waveguide sheet in the head-mounted display device (such as VR or AR) and the human eye, and sends the temperature sensing signal to the controller, which adjusts the driving light source and changes the deformation degree of the photothermal actuator, thereby adjusting the position or shape of the waveguide sheet to achieve dynamic focusing.

[0075] In one specific embodiment, the sensor is a light intensity sensor; the light intensity sensor is used to detect changes in ambient temperature, send signals to the controller, and adjust the deformation degree of the photothermal actuator to change the opening angle of the window blades or the shading layer.

[0076] In one specific embodiment, the sensor is a gas sensor; the gas sensor is used to detect changes in gas concentration and adjust the opening angle of a gas valve or window blade.

[0077] In one specific embodiment, the sensor is a humidity sensor; the humidity sensor is used to detect changes in outdoor humidity and adjust the opening angle of the window slats, such as automatically closing the window on rainy days.

[0078] In one specific embodiment, the sensor is a pressure sensor; the pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure between the watch strap or bracelet and the human wrist, and adjust the tightness of the strap to improve wearing comfort.

[0079] In one specific embodiment, the sensor is an angle sensor; the angle sensor is used to detect the degree of deformation of the photothermal actuator, or to detect the angle of the rotating part driven by the photothermal actuator; for example, the photothermal actuator is used for angle control of robot joints or robotic arms to achieve precise operation of rotation angle or tilt angle.

[0080] The above embodiments or implementation methods for changing the opening angle of window slats or shading layers can be applied to shading systems for building windows, vehicle windows, or agricultural greenhouses. For example, when a gas sensor detects that the indoor carbon dioxide concentration is too high, it triggers the drive light source to emit light, causing the photothermal actuator to deform and open the window; or when a humidity sensor detects that the outdoor humidity is rising, it automatically closes the window.

[0081] The above embodiments for watch or wristband straps can also integrate one or more of a heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and temperature sensor to ensure accurate data acquisition.

[0082] Since the photothermal deformation of the photothermal actuator is a flexible bending deformation, in some embodiments, the sensor mentioned above can be a flexible sensor, which is attached to the surface of the photothermal actuator.

[0083] In some other embodiments, the photothermal actuator also integrates flexible circuitry;

[0084] The photothermal actuator connects or disconnects the flexible circuit from the external circuit after photothermal deformation.

[0085] In one specific embodiment, the flexible circuit is a wireless communication circuit; the photothermal actuator deforms after being irradiated by light of a preset wavelength, connecting the wireless communication circuit to an external circuit and sending a warning signal to a remote wireless communication device; this embodiment can be used in security cameras or infrared sensor access control systems to detect infrared light and then control the angle of the camera or the opening and closing status of the door, and send a warning signal through the wireless communication circuit.

[0086] In one specific embodiment, the flexible circuit is a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit used to mark the photothermal actuator; after the RFID signal is read, it sends an identification signal to the controller, and the controller adjusts the working state of the drive light source according to the signal, thereby controlling the degree of deformation of the photothermal actuator.

[0087] The MXenes-based photothermal actuators or photothermal alteration devices proposed in the above embodiments can be applied to intelligent systems.

[0088] The intelligent system can be any one of a flexible crawling robot, an intelligent mechanical clamp, or an intelligent lighting system.

[0089] In one embodiment, the intelligent system is a flexible crawling robot, which includes a head, a tail, and at least one photothermal actuator disposed between the two; the photothermal actuator deforms periodically under the action of a driving light source, causing the head and tail to alternately creep forward.

[0090] In this embodiment, the crawling robot is a worm-shaped flexible crawling robot, and the photothermal actuator serves as a flexible connection between the head and the tail. The head and tail are designed with different ground contact angles. Under the control of near-infrared light, the photothermal actuator undergoes a deformation-recovery cycle according to a preset pattern, simulating the wave-shaped muscle contraction and expansion of a worm, so that the head and tail move forward alternately, thereby driving the crawling robot to perform rapid and precise directional worm-like crawling.

[0091] In one embodiment, the flexible connection includes multiple independent photothermal actuators and corresponding light sources; by designing the length, material, structure and relative position of the multiple photothermal actuators, the turning or climbing function of the crawling robot can be realized by controlling the bending deformation of a single photothermal actuator.

[0092] In one embodiment, the photothermal actuator is wave-shaped; under near-infrared light irradiation, the wave-shaped photothermal actuator deforms and elongates, propelling the head forward; after the light source is turned off, the actuator retracts and drives the tail forward; this embodiment adopts a wave-shaped design, which makes the flexible connection part easier to bend and twist, enhancing the flexibility of the crawling robot in complex environments.

[0093] In one embodiment, the flexible crawling robot is equipped with a remote communication circuit connected to the controller of the photothermal alteration device. This circuit receives remote control signals and sends control commands to the driving light source via the controller. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a control program. The processor executes the control program to control the on / off frequency and duration of the near-infrared light source, thereby adjusting the crawling robot's crawling speed and direction, or controlling the robot's head to lift and perform climbing actions.

[0094] In one embodiment, the intelligent system is an intelligent mechanical clamp, which consists of a lever and a clamping part composed of multiple photothermal actuators; the photothermal actuators deform to grasp objects under the illumination of a driving light source, and return to their original shape and release the objects after the light source is turned off.

[0095] In one embodiment, the gripping part includes multiple mechanical fingers, each comprising multiple phalanges, with each pair of phalanges connected by a photothermal actuator. The photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the illumination of a driving light source, thereby moving adjacent phalanges. This embodiment offers greater gripping flexibility and is suitable for precision operations.

[0096] In one embodiment, a photothermal actuator is provided between the clamping part and the arm to control the orientation of the clamping part.

[0097] In one embodiment, the surface of the photothermal actuator is further provided with a flexible protective layer to prevent wear on the photothermal actuator.

[0098] In one embodiment, the driving light source can control each photothermal actuator through an optical fiber system. Specifically, each photothermal actuator is fixed with a flexible optical fiber connected to the driving light source, and the driving light source transmits light to the corresponding photothermal actuator through the optical fiber system to achieve independent control. This embodiment facilitates the arrangement of the driving light source, improves the stability of the optical path, and is suitable for various complex operating environments.

[0099] See Figure 6In one embodiment, the intelligent system is an intelligent lighting system, which includes a lighting source, a power supply, a conductive line, and a switch disposed on the conductive line. The power supply supplies power to the lighting source through the conductive line, and the switch consists of a photothermal actuator and a conductive wire disposed on the photothermal actuator.

[0100] The photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the irradiation of light of a preset wavelength, connecting the conductive wire to the conductive circuit to light up the lighting source, or disconnecting the electrical connection between the conductive wire and the conductive circuit to extinguish the lighting source.

[0101] In one embodiment, the photothermal actuator deforms under infrared light; when a person or animal is detected approaching, the infrared radiation from the organism triggers the photothermal actuator to close the switch and turn on the lighting source; when no one is approaching, the switch is turned off and the lighting source is extinguished, thus realizing intelligent control and energy saving of the lighting system.

[0102] In another embodiment, the photothermal actuator deforms under natural light; this embodiment can be used for street lighting, where the photothermal actuator closes the switch to turn on the street light at night or when the ambient light is dim; during the day, under sunlight, the photothermal actuator deforms and disconnects the switch, causing the street light to turn off.

[0103] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although the foregoing embodiments have described this application in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A photothermal chromatic alteration device, characterized in that, The photothermal alteration device includes a controller, a driving light source, a photothermal actuator, and a flexible optical fiber; The photothermal actuator includes: a first thin film; a second thin film fixed on the first thin film; the second thin film is composed of a polymer and an MXene material dispersed in the polymer; the MXene material is used to convert light energy into heat energy; the first thin film and the polymer constitute the driving layer of the photothermal actuator; the MXene material constitutes the inert layer of the photothermal actuator; the coefficient of thermal expansion of the driving layer is greater than that of the inert layer, and the inert layer converts light energy into heat energy to cause the driving layer to undergo thermal expansion deformation; the MXene material is Nb2CT. x Ti3C2T x V2C, Nb2N, Mo2TiC2T x At least one of the following; the first film is a polyethylene film; The controller is electrically or communicatively connected to the driving light source and is used to send control commands to the driving light source; after receiving the control commands, the driving light source emits light of a preset wavelength and intensity to drive the photothermal actuator to undergo photothermal deformation. The flexible optical fiber is connected to the driving light source and attached to the photothermal actuator; the light emitted by the driving light source is transmitted to the photothermal actuator through the flexible optical fiber to drive the photothermal actuator to undergo photothermal deformation.

2. The photothermal alteration device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The photothermal alteration device also includes a sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller; The sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a humidity sensor, an angle sensor, a gas sensor, and a pressure sensor.

3. The photothermal induced change device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The photothermal alteration device also includes a flexible circuit, which is attached to the photothermal actuator. The photothermal actuator connects the flexible circuit to an external circuit after photothermal deformation, or disconnects the flexible circuit from the external circuit after photothermal deformation.

4. A flexible crawling robot, characterized in that, The flexible crawling robot includes a head, a tail, and a photothermal alteration device according to any one of claims 1-3; the photothermal alteration device includes at least one photothermal actuator, which is disposed between the head and the tail. The photothermal actuator undergoes periodic photothermal deformation under the drive of the driving light source, causing the head and tail to creep forward.

5. The flexible crawling robot as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The photothermal actuator has a wavy shape.

6. A smart mechanical clamp, characterized in that, The intelligent mechanical clamp includes an arm, a clamping part located at one end of the arm, and a photothermal alteration device according to any one of claims 1-3; the photothermal alteration device includes a plurality of photothermal actuators; The clamping part is equipped with multiple photothermal actuators. At least one photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the drive of the driving light source and cooperates with other photothermal actuators to grasp the object. When the driving light source is turned off, all photothermal actuators automatically return to their original state and release the object. And / or, the clamping part includes multiple mechanical fingers, each mechanical finger containing multiple phalanges, and every two phalanges are connected by a photothermal actuator; the photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the illumination of the driving light source, and drives the adjacent phalanges to move; And / or, a photothermal actuator is provided between the clamping part and the arm, and the photothermal actuator undergoes photothermal deformation under the illumination of the driving light source to control the orientation of the clamping part.

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