The Polymer Society of Korea

이재원 (한국생산기술연구원)

김시형 (한국생산기술연구원)

Carbon nanotube (CNT) actuators are advanced artificial muscles, but their reliance on external vessels or gels for liquid electrolytes limits practical integration. Here, we present a vessel-free woven CNT actuator in which coiled CNT yarns act as both electrodes and structural supports, confining liquid electrolyte droplets through surface tension. This configuration forms electrolyte interfaces between CNT yarns, enabling reversible in-plane actuation via electrochemical double-layer formation without electrolyte immersion.

The woven structure supports electrolyte masses up to 140 times its own weight in aqueous and organic systems and exhibits reversible contraction under applied voltage. Expanding the unit cell into a 3 × 3 array, selective electrolyte placement enabled spatially programmed deformation, demonstrated by controlled translation and rotation of an object on the electrolyte interface. This approach enables lightweight, compact, and programmable soft actuators.