Monolithic actuators from flash-welded polyaniline nanofibers

He'll weld with a mighty hand. Flash-welded polyaniline nanofiber actuators demonstrate unprecedented reversible, rapid actuation upon doping. An intense flash of light creates an asymmetric structure (see figure) with a thin dense layer on top of a thick porous nanofibrillar layer. On exposure to camphor sulfonic acid the asymmetric film curls more than 720 degrees.