Light‐Mediated Manufacture and Manipulation of Actuators

TLDR

Recent research has focused on creating designable, controllable actuators, with light emerging as a key enabler for their manufacture and manipulation. The review summarizes light‑mediated fabrication methods such as UV lithography and direct laser writing, and manipulation strategies including optical trapping, photochemical, and photothermal actuation. The authors highlight ongoing challenges, future directions, and the strong potential of light for advancing actuator technology.

Abstract

Recent years have seen a considerable growth of research interests in developing novel technologies that permit designable manufacture and controllable manipulation of actuators. Among various fabrication and driving strategies, light has emerged as an enabler to reach this end, contributing to the development of actuators. Several accessible light‐mediated manufacturing technologies, such as ultraviolet (UV) lithography and direct laser writing (DLW), are summarized. A series of light‐driven strategies including optical trapping, photochemical actuation, and photothermal actuation for controllable manipulation of actuators is introduced. Current challenges and future perspectives of this field are discussed. To generalize, light holds great promise for the development of actuators.