Materials

Paper Doll Brought to Life by 'Artificial Muscles'

Researchers from Nankai University and Tianjin University in China, reporting in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Central Science , have made a foil “paper doll” sit up using polymer covalent organic frameworks (polyCOFs). The researchers say they have demonstrated, for the first time, that polyCOF membranes can be used as artificial muscles to perform various complicated motions (like doing “sit-ups” and lifting objects) triggered by vapors. This research bridges the gap between one-dimensional amorphous linear polymers and crystalline polymer frameworks, and paves the way to prepare stimuli-responsive actuators using porous COF materials. This video shows how the team made and tested these potentially useful new materials.