mechanines
Mechanines are a theoretical class of autonomous devices designed to operate primarily through mechanical actuation at micro- to nanoscale. They are envisioned as systems that convert environmental mechanical energy—such as strain, frictional work, or acoustic pressure—into controlled motion or task-specific actions, without relying primarily on chemical fuels or electronic control.
Design and operation: Mechanines may be built from composite materials that include flexible hinges, rigid supports,
Applications: Potential domains include self-healing materials, microfabrication inside confined spaces, targeted drug delivery within soft tissues,
Status and evaluation: The notion of mechanines is largely theoretical and appears mainly in discussions of
See also: mechanobiology, soft robotics, nanotechnology, molecular machines.