Azobenzene actuators have generated extensive research investment in the field of soft robots, artificial muscles, etc., based on the typical photoresponsive trans-cis isomerization. However, it remains challenging to achieve multiphase actuation at the gas–liquid interface and liquid phase. To solve these problems, this paper demonstrated a simple fabrication method of a Janus azobenzene inverse opal membrane with one side having a polydomain azobenzene inverse opal structure and the other side having a monodomain bulk azobenzene polymer. The introduction of an inverse opal structure increases the interaction area between the liquid and polymer network. The proposed design can freely swim in any direction at the air–liquid interface based on the Marangoni effect or move forward in the liquid phase based on bubble propulsion under UV irradiation. This work is of great significance for the design and fabrication of multiphase photo actuators.

中文翻译：

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多相 Janus 偶氮苯反蛋白石膜，面向按需光控运动


偶氮苯致动器基于典型的光响应反顺式异构化，在软机器人、人造肌肉等领域产生了广泛的研究投资。然而，在气-液界面和液相处实现多相驱动仍然具有挑战性。为了解决这些问题，本文展示了一种简单的 Janus 偶氮苯反蛋白石膜的制备方法，其中一侧具有多结构域偶氮苯反蛋白石结构，另一侧具有单结构域块状偶氮苯聚合物。反蛋白石结构的引入增加了液体和聚合物网络之间的相互作用面积。所提出的设计可以在基于马兰戈尼效应的气-液界面处向任何方向自由游动，也可以在紫外线照射下基于气泡推进的液相中向前移动。这项工作对于多相光电致动器的设计和制造具有重要意义。