A polymer that incorporates liquid-crystal components generates continuous mechanical waves when lit by ultraviolet light, with potential applications for energy harvesting and self-cleaning surfaces. See Letter p.632
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Notes
References
White, T. J. & Broer, D. J. Nature Mater. 14, 1087–1098 (2015).
Gelebart, A. H. et al. Nature 546, 632–636 (2017).
Yu, Y., Nakano, M. & Ikeda, T. Nature 425, 145 (2003).
van Oosten, C. L., Bastiaansen, C. W. M. & Broer, D. J. Nature Mater. 8, 677–682 (2009).
Wani, O. M., Zeng, H. & Priimagi, A. Nature Commun. 8, 15546 (2017).
Yamada, M. et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Edn 47, 4986–4988 (2008).
Yamada, M. et al. J. Mater. Chem. 19, 60–62 (2009).
Cheng, F. T., Yin, R. Y., Zhang, Y. Y., Yen, C. C. & Yu, Y. L. Soft Matter 6, 3447–3449 (2010).
Iamsaard, S. et al. Nature Chem. 6, 229–235 (2014).
Liu, D. Q. & Broer, D. J. Nature Commun. 6, 8334 (2015).
Liu, D. Q., Liu, L., Onck, P. R. & Broer, D. J. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 112, 3880–3885 (2015).
Serak, S. et al. Soft Matter 6, 779–783 (2010).
Lv, J. A. et al. Nature 537, 179–184 (2016).
Brode, W. R., Gould, J. H. & Wyman, G. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 4641–4646 (1952).
Mita, I., Horie, K. & Hirao, K. Macromolecules 22, 558–563 (1989).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Related links
Related links
Related links in Nature Research
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yu, Y. A light-fuelled wave machine. Nature 546, 604–606 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/546604a
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/546604a
- Springer Nature Limited