Kirigami-Inspired Light-Responsive Conical Spiral Actuators with Large Contraction Ratio Using Liquid Crystal Elastomer Fiber DOI

Cunping Bai,

Jingtian Kang, Yan Qing Wang

et al.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(9), P. 14488 - 14498

Published: Feb. 25, 2025

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are among the key smart materials driving soft robotics and LCE fibers have garnered significant attention for their rapid response characteristics. A convenient fast method programming orientations of liquid molecules is a focal issue in applications. Inspired by Kirigami technique, here, we propose novel fabricating based on customizable cutting paths secondary photo-cross-linking. While most existing actuators exhibit contraction ratios around 30 to 40%, our conical spiral actuator, fabricated from LCE-carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber using proposed method, demonstrates significantly higher ratio, reaching up 80%. The ratio can be controlled adjusting path parameters elucidate mechanism linking orientation distribution ratio. Additionally, deformation actuator manipulated with light radiation, enabling versatile functionalities such as catching, twisting, gripping. We hope that fabrication presented provides new insights preparing fibers, offering valuable reference application materials.

Language: Английский

Self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators DOI Creative Commons
Zhen‐Zhou Nie, Meng Wang, Hong Yang

et al.

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

Citations

11
Self-oscillation of a liquid crystal elastomer string-mass system under constant gradient temperature DOI
Dali Ge, Haiyi Liang, Kai Li

et al.

Journal of Applied Mechanics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 91(10)

Published: June 14, 2024

Abstract Recent experiments have found that a fiber-mass system can self-oscillate along the vertical direction under non-uniform temperature field, which necessitates significant space. To address challenge in adapting to situations with limited space, current work introduces self-oscillating string-mass system, comprising of mass ball and thermally responsive liquid crystal elastomer string exposed constant gradient temperature. By employing theoretical modeling numerical simulation, we identified two motion regimes namely, static regime self-oscillation regime, elucidated mechanism self-oscillation. Utilizing analytical method, derived expressions for bifurcation point, amplitude, frequency self-oscillation, investigated impact parameters on these aspects, were verified by solutions. Compared has superior stability deal small horizontal disturbances, amplify its amplitude thermal deformation material, saves amount Given attributes, such presents novel possibilities designing energy harvesters, active machinery, soft robots.

Language: Английский

Citations

11
Sidewinder‐Inspired Self‐Adjusting, Lateral‐Rolling Soft Robots for Autonomous Terrain Exploration DOI Creative Commons

Young Been Kim,

Shu Yang, Dae Seok Kim

et al.

Advanced Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(14)

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Abstract Helical structures of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) hold promise in soft robotics for self‐regulated rolling motions. The understanding their motion paths and potentials terrain exploration remains limited. This study introduces a self‐adjusting, lateral‐rolling robot inspired by sidewinder snakes. spring‐like LCE helical filaments (HFs) autonomously respond to thermal cues, demonstrating dynamic sustainable locomotion with adaptive along non‐linear paths. By fine‐tuning the diameter, pitch, modulus HFs, environmental temperature, movements allowing diverse terrains over 600 cm 2 area within few minutes, can be programmed. HFs are showcased navigate through nine obstacles, including maze escaping, exploration, target hunting, successfully surmounting staircases adaptable rolling.

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Coaxial‐Spun Hollow Liquid Crystal Elastomer Fiber as a Versatile Platform for Functional Composites DOI Creative Commons
Mingzhe Li, Farzad Gholami, Liang Yue

et al.

Advanced Functional Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 20, 2024

Abstract The design and engineering of liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) composites for enhanced multifunctionality responsiveness is highly desired. Here, a hollow LCE (h‐LCE) fiber fabricated via coaxial spinning, enabling the straightforward yet effective creation functional composites, reported. Inspired by fiber‐tubule architecture in skeletal muscles, features an outer shell programmable actuation inner channel allowing integration variety media. Thus, h‐LCE can serve as versatile platform multifunctionalities composites. With this unique strategy, fibers are with lengths exceeding 3 meters lab diameters small 250 mm 120 µm, respectively. versatility these across various applications further demonstrated, from fast‐response stiffness‐tunable actuators integrating water flow triggering media shape memory polymer (SMP) mechanical properties, to electrically driven actuating systems through incorporation metal, light‐guides combining SMP PDMS optical fiber. conception not only advances multifunctional but also paves way their application soft robotics, artificial beyond.

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Multi-modal self-sustained motions of a silicone oil paper disc on a surface driven by hot steam DOI
Jun Zhao, Zhongrui Zhang, Xiaoming Sun

et al.

Chaos Solitons & Fractals, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 191, P. 115898 - 115898

Published: Dec. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

8
Light-fueled self-rotation of a liquid crystal elastomer rod enabled by lateral constraint DOI Creative Commons
Kai Li,

Pengsen Xu,

Lin Zhou

et al.

Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100569 - 100569

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Coaxial Direct Ink Writing of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomers in 3D Architectures DOI Creative Commons
Alicia Ng, Rodrigo Telles, Katherine S. Riley

et al.

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

Published: Jan. 26, 2025

Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) hold great promise for mechanochromic applications in anti-counterfeiting, smart textiles, and soft robotics, thanks to the structural color elasticity. While CLCEs are printed via direct ink writing (DIW) fabricate free-standing films, complex 3D structures not fabricated due opposing rheological properties necessary cholesteric alignment multilayer stacking. Here, CLCE realized by utilizing coaxial DIW print a CLC within silicone ink. By tailoring compositions, thus, properties, phase rapidly forms without an annealing step, while shell provides encapsulation support core, allowing layer-by-layer printing of self-supported structures. As demonstration, bistable thin-shell domes printed. Color changes compressive tensile stresses can be witnessed from top bottom inverted domes, respectively. When arranged array inverted, they snap back their base state uniaxial stretching, thereby functioning as mechanical sensors with memory. The additive manufacturing platform enables rapid fabrication expanding realm potential CLCEs.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Smart liquid crystal elastomer fibers DOI

Jiazhe Ma,

Zhongqiang Yang

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

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Citations

1
Liquid Crystal Elastomer Artificial Tendrils with Asymmetric Core–Sheath Structure Showing Evolutionary Biomimetic Locomotion DOI
Chun Zhang,

Guoxia Fei,

Xili Lu

et al.

Advanced Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 36(7)

Published: Oct. 9, 2023

Abstract The sophisticated and complex haptonastic movements in response to environmental‐stimuli of living organisms have always fascinated scientists. However, how fundamentally mimic the hierarchical architectures provide artificial counterparts with similar or even beyond‐natural functions based on underlying mechanism remains a major scientific challenge. Here, liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) tendrils showing evolutionary biomimetic locomotion are developed following structure–function principle that is used nature grow climbing plants. These elaborately designed tendril‐like LCE actuators possess an asymmetric core–sheath architecture which shows higher‐to‐lower transition degree LC orientation from sheath‐to‐core layer across semi‐ellipse cross‐section. Upon heating cooling, tendril can undergo reversible shape‐morphing behaviors, such as helical coiling/winding, perversion. fundamental revealed by using theoretical models finite element simulations. Besides, incorporation metal‐ligand coordination into network provides reconfigurable performances transitions rotational deformations. Finally, abilities deformations integrated new reprogrammed flagellum‐like perform mimicking natural flagellum.

Language: Английский

Citations

19
Recent advances in responsive liquid crystal elastomer‐contained fibrous composites DOI Creative Commons
Zhibo Zhang, Jiajun Li, Ruicong Zhang

et al.

Deleted Journal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 15, 2024

Abstract Responsive polymers can react to surrounding environments by changing their physical and/or chemical properties. Among them, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have emerged as one of the important branches in field applied polymer science due significant advantages flexible mechanics and shape memory. Manufacturing LCE fibers with a large specific surface area functional fillers has become research hotspot recent years. This type LCE‐contained fibrous composite (LCEF) exhibits not only extremely high response sensitivity but also excellent axial mechanical strength degree deformation freedom. In this paper, we provide bird's eye view developments LCEF, including structural designs, synthesis forming methods, principles modes. Furthermore, discuss advances LCEF artificial muscles, smart textiles, biomimetic systems, intelligent soft machines, followed challenges possible routes fabrications applications LCEF. At end, aim perspective for an emerging stimulus‐responsive polymeric fiber composites.

Language: Английский

Citations

5