NanoUp group just published new self shaping materials in Advanced Materials.
Dr. Javier Troyano and Dr. Arnau Carné-Sánchez from NanoUp have developed a procedure to obtain films that can adopt programmed shapes. Published in Advanced Materials, the method is based on the use of flexible MOF crystals that increase in size when humidified. Once the crystals are uniformly embedded in the film, some of them are conveniently removed from specific locations through a chemical etching method. When moistened, the obtained heterogeneous film adopts a new shape.The resulting films could serve as autonomous mechanical devices, having potential applications in micromanipulation, automation, and robotics.
Congratulations Javier & Arnau!
Article reference
Javier Troyano, Arnau Carné-Sánchez, and Daniel Maspoch. Programmable Self-Assembling 3D Architectures Generated by Patterning of Swellable MOF-Based Composite Films. Adv. Mater. 2019, 1808235. DOI: 10.1002/adma.201808235
