This presentation provides an overview of recent advancements in the development and application of ultralight aeromaterials for actuation and sensing. Characterized by densities below 20 mg/cm³, these materials offer innovative solutions as actuators and sensors without requiring moving parts. Their microscopic framework, composed of interconnected tubes with nanoscopic wall thicknesses, enables high porosity and significant internal surface area. Unlike conventional aerogels, these structures support applications in filtration [1], light scattering [2], acoustic devices, and advanced sensor technologies [3,4].
The aeromaterials are produced using a template-based process involving 3D tetrapodal zinc oxide (T-ZnO) scaffolds synthesized via flame transport methods. These templates are coated with nanomaterials, such as graphene, through wet-chemical infiltration or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), followed by the removal of T-ZnO via etching. Electrically conductive aeromaterials demonstrate rapid heating capabilities, reaching temperature increases of several hundred degrees Celsius within milliseconds using minimal power. This enables efficient pneumatic actuation and high gravimetric power density, with milligram-scale samples capable of lifting over 50 grams [5].
The presentation will also discuss recent work on scaling these materials for industrial applications, spanning fields from mechanical engineering to biomedical systems. Sensor applications for gases, flow, temperature, and pressure, as well as actuator and sound generation devices, will be highlighted.

[1] Reimers et al., 2023, Device 1, 100098.
[2] Schütt et al., 2020, Nature Communications, 11, 1437.
[3] Schütt et al., 2021, Materials Today, 48, 7.
[4] Saure et al., 2023, ACS Nano, 17, 22, 22444.
[5] Dragoman et al., 2019, Phys. Status Solidi RRL, 13, 1900012.