Optomechanically-responsive materials for use as light-activated actuators and valves
First Claim
1. A photo actuator comprising:
- a plurality of nanoparticles designed to resonate at a predetermined wavelength of light; and
a medium, said plurality of nanoparticles being in thermal contact with said medium and said medium comprising a thermally sensitive material, wherein said medium actuates a device by physical movement of said medium in response to light at said predetermined wavelength.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a photoactuator comprising a plurality of nanoparticles and a thermally sensitive material. The photoactuator is useful for a variety of applications including macroscale and nanoscale applications. The nanoparticles are in thermal contact with the thermally sensitive material. The nanoparticles are engineered to achieve peak resonance at a given wavelength of light such that upon illumination. Upon illumination of the thermally sensitive material, the nanoparticles convert the light to heat, which is transferred to the thermally sensitive material, inducing a change in volume in the thermally sensitive material. The present invention is useful for actuating devices, especially in microfluidic devices. Methods for making a photoactuator and various embodiments thereof are also provided.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A photo actuator comprising:
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a plurality of nanoparticles designed to resonate at a predetermined wavelength of light; and
a medium, said plurality of nanoparticles being in thermal contact with said medium and said medium comprising a thermally sensitive material, wherein said medium actuates a device by physical movement of said medium in response to light at said predetermined wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for making a photoactuator in a void space comprising the steps of:
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(a) mixing a plurality of nanoparticles and a monomer, said monomer being capable of forming a thermally sensitive material upon polymerization;
(b) filling said void space with said plurality of nanoparticles and said monomer; and
(c) inducing polymerization of said monomer such tat said monomer polymerizes to form said thermally responsive material within said void space and encompasses at least some of said plurality of nanoparticles. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A microfluidic device comprising:
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a substrate;
at least one channel etched into said substrate for directing a flow; and
a first photoactuated device located on said substrate and designed to control said flow. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A photoactuated valve comprising:
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a thermally responsive material, said thermally responsive material connected to and disposed in a channel; and
a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in said thermally responsive material, said plurality of nanoparticles being designed to resonate at a predetermined wavelength of light. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for producing a photoactuated valve comprising the steps of:
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(a) mixing a plurality of nanoparticles, a crosslinker, a photoinitiator, and a monomer;
(b) injecting said plurality of nanoparticles, said crosslinker, said photoinitiator, and said monomer into a channel; and
(c) illuminating said monomer, said crosslinker, said photoinitiator, and said plurality of nanoparticles with ultraviolet light such that said monomer polymerizes to form a thermally responsive material that encompasses at least some of said plurality of nanoparticles. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification