The present invention discloses a liquid - driven nano – porous actuator and the application thereof , and belongs to the field of nano material actuators . According to the present invention , by changing the content of the liquid in the nanoporous material , the interface between the surface liquid of the nano - porous material and air is exchanged between flat and curved states , so as to change the compressive stress acting on the nano - porous material from the surface tension of the liquid and change the elastic deformation of the nano - porous material , thus driving the nano - porous material to contract and expand in a reversible manner and further realizing driving performance . The actuator features simple and easy implementation and environmental - friendly effect without the need of external physical excitation signals ( light , magnetic field , electricity or heat ) , complicated external excitation process , conversion of electric , magnetic , and light energy , chemical or electrochemical process , or toxic , harmful or corrosive chemical substances , and it is especially suitable for bio - robot , medical and aerospace fields .