Polypyrrole nanowire actuators

Polypyrrole nanowires were fabricated using template synthesis and characterized to function as nanoactuators in an aqueous environment. The nanowires can expand/contract up to 3% of their original length under applied voltage. The nanoactuators are suitable for operation in a wide variety of environments - blood plasma or salt water, with potential applications in micro- and nanofluids for medicines, biosciences, and environmental monitoring. Coupling of nanowire geometrical changes with gold in a bimorph structure can be used to amplify the magnitude of actuation.