The working principle of thermal nanoactuators typically involves materials that expand or contract when subjected to temperature changes. Common mechanisms include:
1. Thermal Expansion: Certain materials expand when heated. In a thermal nanoactuator, this expansion can be harnessed to produce linear or rotational motion. 2. Phase Transition: Some materials undergo a phase change (e.g., from solid to liquid) at specific temperatures. This transition can be exploited to generate movement. 3. Thermal Gradient: Creating a temperature difference across a material can induce a differential expansion, leading to bending or other forms of motion.
