4D-Printable Liquid Metal–Liquid Crystal Elastomer Composites

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cedric P. Ambulo ◽  
Michael J. Ford ◽  
Kyle Searles ◽  
Carmel Majidi ◽  
Taylor H. Ware
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer ◽  
Elastomer Composites

scholarly journals A multifunctional shape-morphing elastomer with liquid metal inclusions

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (43) ◽  
pp. 21438-21444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Ford ◽  
Cedric P. Ambulo ◽  
Teresa A. Kent ◽  
Eric J. Markvicka ◽  
Chengfeng Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer ◽  
Shape Morphing ◽  
Robot Locomotion ◽  
Mesoscale Structures ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Liquid Crystal Phase Transition ◽  
Macroscopic Shape

Natural soft tissue achieves a rich variety of functionality through a hierarchy of molecular, microscale, and mesoscale structures and ordering. Inspired by such architectures, we introduce a soft, multifunctional composite capable of a unique combination of sensing, mechanically robust electronic connectivity, and active shape morphing. The material is composed of a compliant and deformable liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) matrix that can achieve macroscopic shape change through a liquid crystal phase transition. The matrix is dispersed with liquid metal (LM) microparticles that are used to tailor the thermal and electrical conductivity of the LCE without detrimentally altering its mechanical or shape-morphing properties. Demonstrations of this composite for sensing, actuation, circuitry, and soft robot locomotion suggest the potential for versatile, tissue-like multifunctionality.

Multi-functional liquid crystal elastomer composites

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 011301
Author(s):  
Yuchen Wang ◽  
Jiaqi Liu ◽  
Shu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer ◽  
Elastomer Composites

Size of liquid metal particles influences actuation properties of a liquid crystal elastomer composite

Soft Matter ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (25) ◽  
pp. 5878-5885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Ford ◽  
Maduran Palaniswamy ◽  
Cedric P. Ambulo ◽  
Taylor H. Ware ◽  
Carmel Majidi
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Metal Particle ◽  
Metal Particles ◽  
Force Output ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer ◽  
Shape Morphing ◽  
Metal Particle Size

A shape-morphing composite exhibits tunable actuation properties (stroke and force output) that are influenced by liquid metal particle size.

Modeling of photo-responsive liquid crystal elastomer actuators

2021 ◽  
Vol 560 ◽  
pp. 441-455
Author(s):  
Jundong Wu ◽  
Wenjun Ye ◽  
Yawu Wang ◽  
Chun-Yi Su
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer

Thermomechanically active electrodes power work-dense soft actuators

Soft Matter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Martinez ◽  
Arul Clement ◽  
Junfeng Gao ◽  
Julia Kocherzat ◽  
Mohsen Tabrizi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Liquid Metal ◽  
Chain Extender ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomers ◽  
Soft Actuators ◽  
Dense Liquid

The effect of chain extender structure and composition on the properties of liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) is presented. Compositions are optimized to design work-dense liquid metal LCE composites that are operated with 100 mW power.

4D Printing of Hygroscopic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators

Small ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 2100910
Author(s):  
Keumbee Kim ◽  
Yuanhang Guo ◽  
Jaehee Bae ◽  
Subi Choi ◽  
Hyeong Yong Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
4D Printing ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer
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