The absence of piezoelectricity in silicon can lead to
direct electromechanical applications of the mainstream
semiconductor material. The integrated electrical control of
silicon mechanics can open new perspectives for on-chip actuators.
In a new report, Manuel Brinker and a research team in physics,
materials, microscopy and hybrid nanostructures in Germany,
combined wafer-scale nanoporosity in single-crystalline silicon to
synthesize a composite demonstrating macroscopic electrostrain in
aqueous electrolytes. The voltage-strain coupling was three-orders
of magnitude larger than the best performing ceramics. Brinker et
al. traced the electro-actuation to the concerted action of a 100
billion nanopores-per-square-centimeter cross-section and obtained
exceptionally small operation voltages (0.4 to 0.9 volts) alongside
sustainable and biocompatible base materials for biohybrid
materials with promising bioactuator applications. The work is now
published on Science Advances.
Giant electrochemical actuation in a nanoporous
silicon-polypyrrole hybrid material
