Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Dec. 19, 2024
Abstract
Liquid
crystalline
elastomers
(LCEs)
are
promising
candidates
for
the
development
of
soft,
environmentally‐responsive
actuators
and
have
recently
been
explored
application
in
smart
textiles
soft
robotics.
To
realize
potential
LCEs
within
these
systems,
fast,
scalable,
continuous
production
LCE
filaments
at
controlled
diameters
is
critical.
Here,
a
wet‐spinning
method
presented
scalable
manufacturing
graphene/LCE
composite
filaments.
Through
double
diffusion
mechanism,
precursors
rapidly
crosslink
into
tangible
without
use
UV
light,
instead
taking
advantage
solvent
exchange
high
catalyst
influx.
The
polydomain
can
achieve
speeds
up
to
4500
m
h
−1
.
π−π
interactions
between
graphene
matrix,
across
broad
range
(137
1128
µm)
be
obtained
with
integrity,
achieving
actuation
stresses
strains
3.66
MPa
44%,
respectively,
3
s.
showcased
as
artificial
muscles,
where
both
thin
thick
filament
sizes
interest.
will
open
new
opportunities
design
robotics
from
fibers
sizes.
ACS Macro Letters,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 495 - 501
Published: March 30, 2025
Liquid
crystal
elastomers
with
thermo-reversible
Diels-Alder
cross-links
(DALCEs)
offer
exceptional
reprocessability
and
mild-temperature
reprogrammability,
enabling
repeated
fabrication
of
diverse
actuators.
However,
optimizing
their
molecular
design
refabrication
protocols
remains
crucial
to
further
unlocking
potential.
This
work
systematically
investigates
DALCEs
synthesized
via
aza-Michael
addition
reactions
between
RM82,
furfurylamine,
various
chain
extenders
(phenylethylamine,
ethylamine,
butylamine,
hexylamine,
octylamine,
6-amino-1-hexanol).
The
effects
cross-linking
density
extender
selection
on
phase
behavior,
thermomechanical
properties,
actuation
performance
have
been
thoroughly
examined.
results
show
that
a
PEA-based
formulation
moderate
achieves
the
most
balanced
performance.
Based
this
optimized
formulation,
novel
(re)fabrication
strategy
is
introduced
by
harnessing
DALCEs'
intrinsic
reprocessability,
self-healing
properties.
employs
multilevel
fiber
programming
before
monolithic
actuator
formation,
spatially
controlled
liquid
alignment
facilitating
iterative
refinement
through
reconstruction.
Consequently,
complex
morphing
behaviors
in
disk
films
stress-modulating
functions
tubular
actuators
were
demonstrated.
establishes
versatile,
easily
material
platform
for
programmable,
dynamic
actuators,
paving
way
advanced
applications
soft
robotics
adaptive
devices.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 2, 2025
Liquid
crystalline
polymer
networks
(LCNs)
and
liquid
elastomers
(LCEs)
possess
unique
properties
that
enable
structural
deformation
in
response
to
external
stimuli
such
as
temperature,
light,
electric
fields.
These
deformations
occur
across
a
wide
range
of
scales,
from
nanometers
macroscopic
scales.
This
review
aims
comprehensively
address
the
actuation
mechanisms
observed
LCN
LCE-based
structures
various
First,
phenomena
are
explored
at
nanoscale
investigate
potential
applications
these
nanodevices
systems.
Next,
microscale,
presenting
case
studies
involving
micro-robotics
micro-actuators,
analyzed.
Finally,
it
is
examined
how
macroscale
can
be
utilized
large
systems,
macro
devices
soft
robotics.
By
investigating
scale-dependent
characteristics,
this
paper
provides
an
integrated
perspective
on
LCE
research,
emphasizing
their
transformative
for
next-generation
applications.
Small,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 7, 2025
Abstract
Quinoid
polymers
featured
with
high‐spin
ground
states
hold
great
potential
for
applications
in
organic
thermoelectrics
(OTE)
since
the
radicals
are
liable
to
regulate
molecular
electronic
structure
and
carrier
transfer
ability.
Whereas,
only
a
few
fused
quinoid
explored
low
power
factor
(PF)
currently.
Herein,
liquid‐crystal
molecule‐assisted
strategy
is
proposed
promote
PF
breakthrough
of
polymers.
By
introducing
molecule
5CB
into
simple
non‐fused
quinoidal
polymer
PAQM‐3T
which
exhibits
stable
characters,
tighter
assembly
can
be
readily
induced
without
any
residue
upon
thermal
annealing,
leading
nearly
doubled
mobility
conductivity.
Moreover,
5CB‐treatment
causes
impacts
on
character
Seebeck
coefficient
(S)
keep
high
value
under
heavy
p‐type
doping
conditions.
Ultimately,
optimal
reaches
198.4
µW•m
−1
•K
−2
,
higher
than
those
traditional
aromatic
Notably,
10%
wt
5CB‐treated
film
boosts
up
309.55
enhanced
conductivity
145.27
S•cm
well‐balanced
S
146.6
µV•K
highest
among
materials
even
approaching
state‐of‐the‐art
The
efficiency
highlights
promising
prospect
molecular‐assisted
high‐performance
OTE.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 18, 2025
Abstract
Recently,
a
novel
and
fascinating
actuation
mode
of
liquid
crystal
elastomers
(LCEs),
known
as
geometric
zero‐elastic‐energy
modes
(ZEEMs),
has
drawn
intensive
research
interest.
Based
on
this
mechanism,
LCE
actuators
exhibit
untethered,
autonomous
movements
under
external
stimulations,
demonstrating
significant
potential
for
applications
in
intelligent
soft
robots,
energy
conversion
systems,
smart
optical
tuning
components.
This
perspective
provides
timely
summary
the
current
based
ZEEMs
highlights
their
future
development
trends
prospects,
which
will
be
great
interest
to
broad
communities
researchers
fields
LCEs,
biomimetic
materials,
robotics,
actuators.
Soft Matter,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
A
coarse-grained
molecular
dynamics
simulation
study
of
the
synthesis,
mechanics,
and
thermal
actuation
nematic
phase
main-chain
liquid
crystal
elastomers
(LCEs),
a
type
soft,
temperature-responsive,
polymeric
actuating
material.
Polymers,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
16(24), P. 3520 - 3520
Published: Dec. 18, 2024
In
recent
years,
there
have
been
many
studies
focused
on
improving
the
performance
of
active
materials;
however,
applying
these
materials
to
machines
still
presents
significant
challenges.
this
study,
we
introduce
a
light-powered
self-translation
system
for
an
asymmetric
friction
slider
using
liquid
crystal
elastomer
(LCE)
string
oscillator.
The
was
composed
hollow
slide,
two
LCE
fibers,
and
mass
ball.
Through
evolution
photothermal-induced
contraction,
derived
governing
equations
system.
Numerical
simulations
revealed
distinct
motion
modes:
static
mode
mode.
As
ball
moved,
fibers
alternated
between
illuminated
non-illuminated
states,
allowing
them
effectively
harvest
light
energy
compensate
dissipation
within
Unlike
traditional
self-oscillating
systems
that
oscillate
around
fixed
position,
enabled
advance
continuously
through
oscillator’s
symmetric
self-sustained
oscillation.
Furthermore,
explored
critical
conditions
necessary
initiating
as
well
key
parameters
influence
frequency
amplitude
oscillator
average
speed
slider.
This
system,
with
its
simple
design
ease
control,
holds
promising
potential
applications
in
various
fields
including
soft
robotics,
harvesting,
machinery.
Crystals,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1), P. 1 - 1
Published: Dec. 24, 2024
Azo-containing
liquid
crystal
elastomers
are
photomechanical
materials
that
can
be
actuated
via
illumination.
The
response
is
a
result
of
the
photoisomerization
azo
moiety,
which
produces
bulk
stresses
in
material.
These
arise
two
distinct
and
competing
mechanisms:
order
parameter
change
induced
stress
direct
contractile
stress.
We
describe
thermomechanical
experiments
aimed
at
assessing
relative
contributions
these.
show
details
attachment
dyes
to
network
greatly
influence
photoresponse.
discuss
our
results
summarize
findings.
