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  • Direct Sun-Driven Artificia...
    Li, Chensha; Liu, Ye; Huang, Xuezhen; Jiang, Hongrui

    Advanced functional materials, December 19, 2012, Letnik: 22, Številka: 24
    Journal Article

    Inspired by heliotropism in nature, artificial heliotropic devices that can follow the sun for increased light interception are realized. The mechanism of the artificial heliotropism is realized via direct actuation by the sunlight, eliminating the need for additional mechatronic components and resultant energy consumption. For this purpose, a novel reversible photo‐thermomechanical liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) nanocomposite is developed that can be directly driven by natural sunlight and possesses strong actuation capability. Using the LCE nanocomposite actuators, the artificial heliotropic devices show full‐range heliotropism in both laboratory and in‐field tests. As a result, significant increase in the photocurrent output from the solar cells in the artificial heliotropic devices is observed. A photo‐thermomechanical liquid‐crystalline elastomer (LCE) nanocomposite is developed and utilized to realize artificial heliotropism. The LCE nanocomposite actuators respond to light and, in turn, drive solar cells to track the light source. Full‐range heliotropism is shown in both laboratory and in‐field tests under natural sunlight. A significant increase in the photocurrent output from the solar cells in the artificial heliotropic devices is observed.