Functional Bio-Nano Composites for Energy Conversion and Actuation

Humidity responsive actuators are versatile alternatives to current actuation technologies that typically require invasive external stimuli such as high temperature, voltage, or pressure. The objective of the project is to achieve high performing humidity responsive materials and resulting actuators. We propose to combine two biological materials to develop a novel high performing humidity responsive material which can be formed as sheets. We will investigate the nanoscale interactions between these biological materials, effects of processing conditions on sheet performance, scalability of the sheet fabrication, and performance of the different spore species. We plan to demonstrate the capabilities of the material with a novel energy harvester design that can harness energy from natural evaporation. The outcomes of the research will be transformational in the field of bio-nanocomposites and enable the application of humidity responsive actuators to the real life functions. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE.