The Emergence of a Polar Nematic Phase: A Chemist's Insight into the Ferroelectric Nematic Phase

ChemPlusChem, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 89(5)

Опубликована: Март 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.

Язык: Английский

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Low-voltage electrohydraulic actuators for untethered robotics

Science Advances, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 10(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Fluid fibers in true 3D ferroelectric liquids

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 121(13)

Опубликована: Март 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.

Язык: Английский

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Spontaneous symmetry breaking in polar fluids

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Июль 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

Язык: Английский

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Updated view of new liquid-matter ferroelectrics with nematic and smectic orders

Giant, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 19, С. 100318 - 100318

Опубликована: Июль 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.

Язык: Английский

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Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystals Showing High Birefringence

Advanced Science, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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Fluorinated liquid crystals and their mixtures giving polar phases with enhanced low-temperature stability

Liquid Crystals, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 51(4), С. 558 - 568

Опубликована: Янв. 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.

Язык: Английский

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High-κ elastomer with dispersed ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal microdroplets

Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12(8), С. 2738 - 2744

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

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

Язык: Английский

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New RM734-like fluid ferroelectrics enabled through a simplified protecting group free synthesis

Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11(48), С. 16982 - 16991

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

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

Язык: Английский

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Memorizable Electro‐Birefringence Effect Exhibited by Transparent Liquid Crystal/Polymer Composite Materials

Advanced Electronic Materials, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 10(9)

Опубликована: Май 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.

Язык: Английский

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