Bioinspired Soft Robots Based on Organic Crystals for Operation at Extreme Conditions
Abstract
Executive summary. This proposed project s primary goal is to explore the performance of organic crystals and their hybrids with selected polymers as lightweight dynamic elements for applicationsin optics, electronics, soft robotics, and other sensing or motile devices capable of operating at extreme external conditions, specifically, at very low ambient temperatures. One of the organic crystals greatest assets as lightweight dynamic components superior to the commonly used plastics (which usually become brittle at cryogenic temperatures) is thought to be their robustness to low temperatures, where their ordered structures effectively dissipate the strains generated upon rapid cooling. Past research in this field has focused on the effect of low temperature on electronic and optical properties of the common, static organic crystals, and cryogenic conditions were mainly explored from the perspective of freezing crystals to alleviate decay of unstable samples or to increase data quality in routine crystallographic structure determinations. The reinvigoration of the interest in the dynamic properties of organic crystals stems from their prospects as durable, lightweight, and flexible emissive or electronic materials. Being ideally defectless ordered media, organic crystals have unique optical, mechanical, and electrical properties, and the possibility of elastic or plastic mechanical deformation increases their viability as materials for durable, lightweight smart devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 2025
- Source ID
- FA86552417051
Entities
People
- Pance Naumov
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- New York University
- United States Air Force