Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background: The ability to fabricate components capable of performing actuation in a reliable and controlled manner is one of the main research topics in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). However, the development of these technologies can be limited in many cases by 2D lithographic...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
F1000 Research Ltd
2021-11-01
|
| Series: | Open Research Europe |
| Online Access: | https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/1-129/v2 |
| _version_ | 1818366164893433856 |
|---|---|
| author | Marco Carlotti Omar Tricinci Frank den Hoed Stefano Palagi Virgilio Mattoli |
| author_facet | Marco Carlotti Omar Tricinci Frank den Hoed Stefano Palagi Virgilio Mattoli |
| author_sort | Marco Carlotti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The ability to fabricate components capable of performing actuation in a reliable and controlled manner is one of the main research topics in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). However, the development of these technologies can be limited in many cases by 2D lithographic techniques employed in the fabrication process. Direct Laser Writing (DLW), a 3D microprinting technique based on two-photon polymerization, can offer novel solutions to prepare, both rapidly and reliably, 3D nano- and microstructures of arbitrary complexity. In addition, the use of functional materials in the printing process can result in the fabrication of smart and responsive devices. Methods: In this study, we present a novel methodology for the printing of 3D actuating microelements comprising Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) obtained by DLW. The alignment of the mesogens was performed using a static electric field (1.7 V/µm) generated by indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes patterned directly on the printing substrates. Results: When exposed to a temperature higher than 50°C, the printed microstructures actuated rapidly and reversibly of about 8% in the direction perpendicular to the director. Conclusions: A novel methodology was developed that allows the printing of directional actuators comprising LCEs via DLW. To impart the necessary alignment of the mesogens, a static electric field was applied before the printing process by making use of flat ITO electrodes present on the printing substrates. The resulting microelements showed a reversible change in shape when heated higher than 50 °C. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T22:31:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23474f0149a445ee8a99a51db1a86c01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2732-5121 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T22:31:49Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Open Research Europe |
| spelling | doaj.art-23474f0149a445ee8a99a51db1a86c012022-12-21T23:29:05ZengF1000 Research LtdOpen Research Europe2732-51212021-11-01110.12688/openreseurope.14135.215449Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Marco Carlotti0Omar Tricinci1Frank den Hoed2Stefano Palagi3Virgilio Mattoli4Center for Materials Interfaces (CMI), Italian Institute of Technology, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, ItalyCenter for Materials Interfaces (CMI), Italian Institute of Technology, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, ItalyCenter for Materials Interfaces (CMI), Italian Institute of Technology, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, ItalyThe Biorobotic Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, ItalyCenter for Materials Interfaces (CMI), Italian Institute of Technology, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, Pontedera, 56025, ItalyBackground: The ability to fabricate components capable of performing actuation in a reliable and controlled manner is one of the main research topics in the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). However, the development of these technologies can be limited in many cases by 2D lithographic techniques employed in the fabrication process. Direct Laser Writing (DLW), a 3D microprinting technique based on two-photon polymerization, can offer novel solutions to prepare, both rapidly and reliably, 3D nano- and microstructures of arbitrary complexity. In addition, the use of functional materials in the printing process can result in the fabrication of smart and responsive devices. Methods: In this study, we present a novel methodology for the printing of 3D actuating microelements comprising Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) obtained by DLW. The alignment of the mesogens was performed using a static electric field (1.7 V/µm) generated by indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes patterned directly on the printing substrates. Results: When exposed to a temperature higher than 50°C, the printed microstructures actuated rapidly and reversibly of about 8% in the direction perpendicular to the director. Conclusions: A novel methodology was developed that allows the printing of directional actuators comprising LCEs via DLW. To impart the necessary alignment of the mesogens, a static electric field was applied before the printing process by making use of flat ITO electrodes present on the printing substrates. The resulting microelements showed a reversible change in shape when heated higher than 50 °C.https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/1-129/v2 |
| spellingShingle | Marco Carlotti Omar Tricinci Frank den Hoed Stefano Palagi Virgilio Mattoli Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] Open Research Europe |
| title | Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | direct laser writing of liquid crystal elastomers oriented by a horizontal electric field version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| url | https://open-research-europe.ec.europa.eu/articles/1-129/v2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marcocarlotti directlaserwritingofliquidcrystalelastomersorientedbyahorizontalelectricfieldversion2peerreview2approved AT omartricinci directlaserwritingofliquidcrystalelastomersorientedbyahorizontalelectricfieldversion2peerreview2approved AT frankdenhoed directlaserwritingofliquidcrystalelastomersorientedbyahorizontalelectricfieldversion2peerreview2approved AT stefanopalagi directlaserwritingofliquidcrystalelastomersorientedbyahorizontalelectricfieldversion2peerreview2approved AT virgiliomattoli directlaserwritingofliquidcrystalelastomersorientedbyahorizontalelectricfieldversion2peerreview2approved |