3D‐Printed Photoresponsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer Composites for Free‐Form Actuation

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(4)

Published: Nov. 11, 2022

Abstract Direct ink writing of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) offers a new opportunity to program geometries for wide variety shape transformation modes toward applications such as soft robotics. So far, most 3D‐printed LCEs are thermally actuated. Herein, 3D‐printable photoresponsive gold nanorod (AuNR)/LCE composite is developed, allowing photothermal actuation the structures with AuNR low 0.1 wt.%. It shown that printed filament has superior response 27% strain upon irradiation near‐infrared (NIR) light (808 nm) at 1.4 W cm −2 (corresponding 160 °C) under optimal printing conditions. The can be globally or locally actuated into different shapes by controlling area exposed NIR laser. Taking advantage customized enabled 3D and ability control light, light‐responsive robot demonstrated climb on ratchet surface maximum speed 0.284 mm s −1 (on flat surface) 0.216 30° titled surface), respectively, corresponding 0.428 0.324 body length per min, large mass (0.23 g) thickness (1 mm).

Language: Английский

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Recent Advances in 4D Printing of Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Advanced Materials, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 35(23)

Published: Dec. 3, 2022

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are renowned for their large, reversible, and anisotropic shape change in response to various external stimuli due lightly cross-linked polymer networks with an oriented mesogen direction, thus showing great potential applications robotics, bio-medics, electronics, optics, energy. To fully take advantage of the stimuli-responsive behaviors LCEs, it is preferable achieve a locally controlled alignment into monodomain orientations. In recent years, application 4D printing LCEs opens new doors simultaneously programming 3D geometry, offering more opportunities higher feasibility fabrication 4D-printed LCE objects desirable properties. Here, state-of-the-art advances reviewed, emphasis on both mechanisms applications. First, fundamental properties working principles representative techniques briefly introduced. Then, by advantages over conventional manufacturing methods demonstrated. Finally, perspectives current challenges development trends toward discussed, which may shed light future research directions this field.

Language: Английский

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Liquid crystal-based structural color actuators

Light Science & Applications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Aug. 5, 2022

Abstract Animals can modify their body shape and/or color for protection, camouflage and communication. This adaptability has inspired fabrication of actuators with structural changes to endow soft robots additional functionalities. Using liquid crystal-based materials is a promising approach. In this review, we discuss the current state potential applications these in robotic devices.

Language: Английский

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Challenges associated with cellulose composite material: Facet engineering and prospective

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 223, P. 115429 - 115429

Published: Feb. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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Springtail‐inspired Light‐driven Soft Jumping Robots Based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Monolithic Three‐leaf Panel Fold Structure

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62(9)

Published: Jan. 10, 2023

Jump is an important form of motion that enables animals to escape from predators, increase their range activities, and better adapt the environment. Inspired by springtails, we describe a light-driven soft jumping robot based on double-folded liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) ribbon actuator with monolithic three-leaf panel fold structure. This can achieve remarkable height, distance, maximum take-off velocity, up 87 body length (BL), 65 BL, 930 BL s-1 , respectively, under near-infrared light irradiation. Further, it possible control direction jump changing size crease angle LCE actuators. These robots efficiently over obstacles continuously, even in complex environments. Our simple design strategy improves performance actuators expect have wide-ranging impact strength, continuity, adaptability future robots.

Language: Английский

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Wearable perovskite solar cells by aligned liquid crystal elastomers

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 2, 2023

In a flexible perovskite solar cell, the bottom interface between and electron-transporting layer is critical in determining its efficiency reliability. High defect concentrations crystalline film fracturing at substantially reduce operational stability. this work, liquid crystal elastomer interlayer intercalated into device with charge transfer channel toughened by aligned mesogenic assembly. The molecular ordering instantly locked upon photopolymerization of diacrylate monomers dithiol-terminated oligomers. optimized collection minimized recombination boost up to 23.26% 22.10% for rigid devices, respectively. elastomer-induced suppression phase segregation endows unencapsulated maintaining >80% initial 1570 h. Moreover, preserves configuration integrity remarkable repeatability mechanical robustness, which enables retain 86% original after 5000 bending cycles. cell chips are further integrated wearable haptic microneedle-based arrays sensors demonstrate pain sensation system virtual reality.

Language: Английский

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Recent Advances in 4D Printing of Advanced Materials and Structures for Functional Applications

Advanced Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(34)

Published: March 5, 2024

4D printing has attracted tremendous worldwide attention during the past decade. This technology enables shape, property, or functionality of printed structures to change with time in response diverse external stimuli, making original static alive. The revolutionary 4D-printing offers remarkable benefits controlling geometric and functional reconfiguration, thereby showcasing immense potential across fields, including biomedical engineering, electronics, robotics, photonics. Here, a comprehensive review latest achievements using various types materials different additive manufacturing techniques is presented. state-of-the-art strategies implemented harnessing 4D-printed are highlighted, which involve design, functionalities, applications. machine learning approach explored for also discussed. Finally, perspectives on current challenges future trends toward further development summarized.

Language: Английский

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Degradable biomedical elastomers: paving the future of tissue repair and regenerative medicine

Chemical Society Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 53(8), P. 4086 - 4153

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

This review critically analyzes degradable biomedical elastomers, focusing on their degradation, synthesis, microstructure, and role in tissue repair. It guides experts balancing degradation with repair for improved applications.

Language: Английский

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Multimodal Self‐sustainable Autonomous Locomotions of Light‐driven Seifert Ribbon Actuators based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62(25)

Published: April 21, 2023

Multimodal self-sustainable autonomous locomotions integrated into one individual system, are high-level intelligent behavioral characteristics of living organisms and the scientific hotspot bionic soft actuators. Here, we report a light-fueled actuator with multimodal movements based on Seifert ribbon bounded by Hopf link. The can self-sense illumination area adjustment, actuation component becomes either discontinuous strip-like structure or continuous toroidal structure, which realize adaptive switches between self-sustained oscillatory rotary motions. two motion modes applied to self-oscillatory piezoelectric generation self-rotational work multiplication cargo transport, respectively. unique smartness surface topology advances level intelligence broad implications for adaptability, multifunctionality, autonomy robots.

Language: Английский

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A Dual‐Responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer for Multi‐Level Encryption and Transient Information Display

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 62(48)

Published: Oct. 11, 2023

Abstract Information security has gained increasing attention in the past decade, leading to development of advanced materials for anti‐counterfeiting, encryption and instantaneous information display. However, it remains challenging achieve high with simple procedures low‐energy stimuli. Herein, a series strain/temperature‐responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are developed dual‐modal, multi‐level real‐time, rewritable transient The as‐prepared polydomain LCEs can change from an opaque state transparent under strain or temperature stimuli, transition strains temperatures highly dependent on concentration long‐chain flexible spacers. encrypted by different LCE inks be decrypted specific temperatures, protection security. Furthermore, combination phase photothermal effect multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), we achieved repeatable display using near‐infrared (NIR) light as pen writing. This study provides new insight into versatility broad applications.

Language: Английский

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