New RM734-like Fluid Ferroelectrics Enabled through Protecting Group Free Synthesis DOI Creative Commons
Calum J. Gibb, Richard J. Mandle

Published: Sept. 5, 2023

We report a novel synthetic procedure for making analogues of the widely studied ferroelectric nematogen RM734. Our new focuses on building materials starting from nitro-terminus and eschewing protecting groups, in contrast to previously reported syntheses. This approach confers two principal advantages: firstly, synthesis variants described herein is expedient, being single step as opposed three or more via classical route. Secondly, by forgoing use benzyl groups utilised original we can include functionality that incompatible with hydrogenolysis conditions (e.g. olefins, late halogens, unsaturated heterocycles). Several RM734-like exhibit nematic phases, rationalise behaviour these aid electronic structure calculations potential energy surface scans.

Language: Английский

The Emergence of a Polar Nematic Phase: A Chemist's Insight into the Ferroelectric Nematic Phase DOI Creative Commons
Ewan Cruickshank

ChemPlusChem, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 89(5)

Published: March 7, 2024

Abstract The discovery of a new polar nematic phase; the ferroelectric nematic, has generated great deal excitement in field liquid crystals. To date there have been around 150 materials reported exhibiting phase, general, following three key archetypal structures with these compounds known as RM734, DIO and UUQU‐4N. In this review, relationship between molecular structure stability N F , phase will be described from chemist's perspective. This look to highlight wide variety functionalities which incorporated into how changes influence transition temperatures mesophases present. appears stabilised particularly by reducing length terminal alkyl chains present adding fluorines laterally along backbone. review introduce background before then showing range exhibit describing their structure–property relationships therefore giving an up–to–date account literature for fascinating mesophase.

Language: Английский

Citations

23
Low-voltage electrohydraulic actuators for untethered robotics DOI Creative Commons
Stephan-Daniel Gravert, Elia Varini, Amirhossein Kazemipour

et al.

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

Rigid robots can be precise but struggle in environments where compliance, robustness to disturbances, or energy efficiency is crucial. This has led researchers develop biomimetic incorporating soft artificial muscles. Electrohydraulic actuators are promising muscles that perform comparably mammalian speed and power density. However, their operation requires several thousand volts. The high voltage leads bulky inefficient driving electronics. Here, we present hydraulically amplified low-voltage electrostatic (HALVE) match skeletal average density (50.5 watts per kilogram) peak strain rate (971% second) at a 4.9 times lower (1100 volts) compared the state of art. HALVE safe touch, waterproof, exhibit self-clearing properties. We characterize, model, validate key performance metrics our actuator. Last, demonstrate utility on robotic gripper swimmer.

Language: Английский

Citations

17
Fluid fibers in true 3D ferroelectric liquids DOI Creative Commons
Alexander Jarosik, Hajnalka Nádasi, Michael Schwidder

et al.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(13)

Published: March 21, 2024

We demonstrate an exceptional ability of a high-polarization 3D ferroelectric liquid to form freely suspended fluid fibers at room temperature. Unlike threads in modulated smectics and columnar phases, where translational order is prerequisite for forming fibers, recently discovered nematic forms with solely orientational molecular order. Additional stabilization mechanisms based on the polar nature mesophase are required this. propose model such mechanism show that these nonlinear optical response exhibit electric field-driven instabilities.

Language: Английский

Citations

15
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in polar fluids DOI Creative Commons
Calum J. Gibb, Jordan Hobbs, D. Nikolova

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: July 11, 2024

Abstract Spontaneous symmetry breaking and emergent polar order are each of fundamental importance to a range scientific disciplines, as well generating rich phase behaviour in liquid crystals (LCs). Here, we show the union these phenomena lead two previously undiscovered states matter. Both phases have lamellar structure with an inherent ordering their constituent molecules. The first is characterised by local tilted structure; tilt direction processes about helix orthogonal layer normal, period which such that observe selective reflection light. second new type anti-ferroelectric, molecules aligning orthogonally normal. This has led us term $${{{{{\rm{Sm}}}}}}{{{{{{\rm{C}}}}}}}_{{{{{{\rm{P}}}}}}}^{{{{{{\rm{H}}}}}}}$$ Sm C P H SmA AF phases, respectively. Further this, obtain room temperature ferroelectric nematic (N F ) via binary mixture formulation novel materials described here standard N compound (DIO), resultant having melting points (and/or glass transitions) significantly below ambient temperature. soft matter types discovered herein can be considered electrical analogues topological structures magnetic spins hard

Language: Английский

Citations

12
Updated view of new liquid-matter ferroelectrics with nematic and smectic orders DOI Creative Commons

Yaohao Song,

Satoshi Aya, Mingjun Huang

et al.

Giant, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19, P. 100318 - 100318

Published: July 4, 2024

The recent discovery of liquid-matter ferroelectrics not only opens a door to explore novel polar matter states and properties in the term condensed physics but also provides unprecedented opportunities for developing new liquid crystal materials technologies. progression from ferroelectric nematic phase many other represents remarkable journey emerging soft matter. In this perspective, we briefly introduce latest quick rise advancements that display smectic characteristics. We summarize recently-discovered phases, their physics, potential technological innovations, then give some hints consider critical further exploration. More importantly, seek delve into broader discussions on chemical structure design, underlying physical interactions driving various states, connections range intriguing phenomena.

Language: Английский

Citations

10
Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystals Showing High Birefringence DOI Creative Commons

Yaohao Song,

Xiang Huang, Xinxin Zhang

et al.

Advanced Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

High birefringence nematic liquid crystals are particularly demanded for adaptive optics applications in the infrared spectrum because it enable a thinner cell gap achieving fast response time and improved diffraction efficiency. The emerging ferroelectric have attracted widespread interest soft matter due to their unique combination of ferroelectricity fluidity. However, birefringence, which is one most important optical parameters electro-optic devices, not large enough (<0.25) materials. Here, polar crystal molecule library containing more than 60 molecules with highly rigid fluorinated nature developed. introduction triple bonds constructs long π-electron conjugated mesogen skeleton, significantly improving phases. dispersion properties systematically studied, demonstrating strong dependence on chemical structures type Furthermore, through multi-component mixing, mixtures ultra-wide temperature range excellent stability at or near room obtained. They possess much higher existing high fluidic expected promote application technologies.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Fluorinated liquid crystals and their mixtures giving polar phases with enhanced low-temperature stability DOI
Yang Chen, Fan Ye, Xiang Huang

et al.

Liquid Crystals, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(4), P. 558 - 568

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

The fluid ferroelectrics, called ferroelectric nematics (NF), have recently become available by incorporating strong polarity into rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules. Its unprecedented electro-optic properties created significant excitement in soft matter research. further progression from the NF phase to antiferroelectric smectic Z (SmZA) phase, and ultimately Smectic A (SmAF) represents a remarkable journey emerging polar states. Nevertheless, limitation of materials remains one prominent obstacles physical property optimization optoelectronic device development. In this work, we synthesized series fluorinated molecules with large dipole moments systematically investigated their behavior. We designed them similar aromatic skeleton varied structures terminal group bridging bond. found that moment density shape anisotropy significantly affect Notably, diverse phases, including NF, SmZA, SmAF were observed. Through multi-component mixing strategy, successfully achieved much-expanded temperature window improved low-temperature stability not only but also SmZA phases.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
High-κ elastomer with dispersed ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal microdroplets DOI
Ye Fan, Chen Yang, Xinxin Zhang

et al.

Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(8), P. 2738 - 2744

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

An emergent liquid ferroelectric material is dispersed into polydimethylsiloxane as microdroplets, realizing a stretchable and high-κ elastomer.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
New RM734-like fluid ferroelectrics enabled through a simplified protecting group free synthesis DOI Creative Commons
Calum J. Gibb, Richard J. Mandle

Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(48), P. 16982 - 16991

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

We report a simplified method for preparing RM734, enabling the discovery of new NF materials previously difficult to synthesize using traditional approaches.

Language: Английский

Citations

12
Memorizable Electro‐Birefringence Effect Exhibited by Transparent Liquid Crystal/Polymer Composite Materials DOI Creative Commons
Yamaguchi Masaki, Yasushi Okumura, Hiroya Nishikawa

et al.

Advanced Electronic Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(9)

Published: May 9, 2024

Abstract Polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) with nano‐phase‐separated structures, in which nanometer‐sized crystal (LC) domains are dispersed within a polymer matrix (nano‐PDLCs), transparent solid materials whose optical properties can be modulated by applying an electric field ( E ‐field). Because the proportion of LC that respond to is small, specific surface area phase‐separated interface nano‐PDLCs larger than conventional PDLCs, resulting higher drive voltages those PDLCs. To lower driving voltage nano‐PDLCs, highly polar LCs (C 3 DIO) used large dielectric anisotropy (>10000), and prepared using DIO mixtures obtained mixing them related compounds as host LC. Nano‐PDLCs employing exhibit ‐field responsivity In addition, electro‐optical Kerr coefficient at visible wavelength significantly high, reaching 10 −8 m V −2 . Furthermore, mixture memory effect induced birefringence remains even after removal in‐plane ‐field. Memorized erased heating or perpendicular substrate surface. rewritable electro‐birefringence‐responsive memorize arbitrary values.

Language: Английский

Citations

4