Stretchable conductive fibers: Design, properties and applications

Progress in Materials Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 144, P. 101288 - 101288

Published: March 21, 2024

Language: Английский

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Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Actuation: A Perspective on Structure-Property-Function Relation

Progress in Polymer Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 153, P. 101829 - 101829

Published: May 10, 2024

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have long held significant promise as materials for artificial muscles and smart actuators. Recent advancements in this field introduced innovative LCE structures at various scales, resulting novel properties functionalities that further accentuate their actuation advantages, bolstering potential future soft systems. The ongoing pursuit of enhanced performance functionality actuators, essential advancing them towards superior material-based machines devices, is intricately linked to the understanding fundamental structure-property-function relationships. This review provides a perspective on these relationships across multiple structural levels, encompassing chemical structures, mesophase micro-to-macroscale programmed structures. It delves into impact key actuation-related properties, features, functionalities. aspires provide valuable insights design high-performance development exceptional modes behaviors, expansion achievable functionality.

Language: Английский

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4D printing of liquid crystal elastomer composites with continuous fiber reinforcement

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

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Shape programming of liquid crystal elastomers

Communications Chemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: March 14, 2024

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are shape-morphing materials that demonstrate reversible actuation when exposed to external stimuli, such as light or heat. The actuation's complexity depends heavily on the instilled liquid alignment, programmed into material using various shape-programming processes. As an unavoidable part of LCE synthesis, these also introduce geometrical and output restrictions dictate final applicability. Considering LCE's future implementation in real-life applications, it is reasonable explore limiting factors. This review offers a brief overview current methods relation challenges employing LCEs soft, shape-memory components devices.

Language: Английский

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Smart liquid crystal elastomer fibers

Matter, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 8(2), P. 101950 - 101950

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

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Applications of liquid crystal planer optical elements based on photoalignment technology in display and photonic devices

Displays, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 82, P. 102632 - 102632

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

Language: Английский

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Self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators

Communications Chemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: March 19, 2024

Abstract Self-sustainable autonomous locomotion is a non-equilibrium phenomenon and an advanced intelligence of soft-bodied organisms that exhibit the abilities perception, feedback, decision-making, self-sustainment. However, artificial self-sustaining architectures are often derived from algorithms onboard modules soft robots, resulting in complex fabrication, limited mobility, low sensitivity. actuators have emerged as naturally evolving systems do not require human intervention. With shape-morphing materials integrating their structural design, can direct responses to environmental changes achieve robust motions under sustained stimulation. This perspective article discusses recent advances self-sustainable actuators. Specifically, materials, motion characteristics, built-in negative feedback loops, constant stimulus response patterns used summarized. Artificial concepts, modes, deformation-induced functional applications described. The current challenges future opportunities for actuation also discussed.

Language: Английский

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3D Printing of Near-Ambient Responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Enhanced Nematic Order and Pluralized Transformation

ACS Nano, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Liquid crystal elastomers with near-ambient temperature-responsiveness (NAT-LCEs) have been extensively studied for building biocompatible, low-power consumption devices and robotics. However, conventional manufacturing methods face limitations in programmability (e.g., molding) or low nematic order DIW printing). Here, a hybrid cooling strategy is proposed programmable three-dimensional (3D) printing of NAT-LCEs enhanced order, intricate shape forming, morphing capability. By integrating low-temperature nozzle platform into 3D printer, the resulting temperature field synergistically facilitates mesogen alignment during extrusion disruption-free ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking. This method achieves 3000% higher than fabricated using traditional room printing. Enabled by shifting transition printing, printed sheets spontaneously turn structures after release from platform, exhibiting bidirectional deformation heating cooling. adjusting plate temperatures, graded properties can be morphing. A wristband system heart rate monitoring also developed based on 3D-printed NAT-LCE. Our developments soft robotics, biomedical devices, wearable electronics.

Language: Английский

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Beyond 3D: Smart Material Systems for Microscale 4D Printing

Advanced Materials Technologies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Abstract 4D printing combines advancements in 3D with smart materials that change properties response to external stimuli, enabling the fabrication of functional devices directly from printer. Microscale is rapidly growing, driving discovery and applications new strategies. The interest microscale comes its potential propel industrial transformation across different sectors, ranging advanced healthcare cryptography. However, this requires rational design a good understanding material response. This review starts by describing for printing. technologies micrometer resolution their use are then discussed. focus shifts stimuli respond to, mechanism behind obtained shape changes respect applied methods implemented so far realize complex changing behaviors. Examples within sensing, microactuation, data encryption, cargo transport shown. After discussing current challenges mitigation strategies, suggestions on direction field can take given, starting systematic iterative approach developing microstructures.

Language: Английский

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Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers

National Science Open, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 20240013 - 20240013

Published: June 1, 2024

Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) is a soft actuating material capable of producing large and reversible actuation strain, versatile modes, high work density, which can be exploited for next-generation robots. However, the slow response speed low power density in LCE-based actuators remain challenge, limiting their practical applications. Researchers have been considering how to improve these performances. In this review, we discuss fundamentals LCEs emphasize fast strategies developed recent years. Firstly, introduce conventional preparation strategies. Then, describe mechanisms LCEs, discussing features limitations. third part, summarize several possible approaches as case studies enhance performance including reducing physical sizes, introducing active heating cooling mechanisms, utilizing mechanical instability, developing dielectric LCEs. Finally, future research opportunities challenges rapid

Language: Английский

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