Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators
ABSTRACTLiquid crystal elastomers are active materials that combine the anisotropic properties of liquid crystals with the elasticity of polymer networks. The LCEs exhibit remarkable reversible contraction and elongation capabilities in response to external stimuli, rendering them highly promising f...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2023-10-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19475411.2023.2251926 |
| _version_ | 1827631545782894592 |
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| author | Jianbo Sun Chao Wang Yongjiao Liu Xudong Liang Zhijian Wang |
| author_facet | Jianbo Sun Chao Wang Yongjiao Liu Xudong Liang Zhijian Wang |
| author_sort | Jianbo Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACTLiquid crystal elastomers are active materials that combine the anisotropic properties of liquid crystals with the elasticity of polymer networks. The LCEs exhibit remarkable reversible contraction and elongation capabilities in response to external stimuli, rendering them highly promising for diverse applications, such as soft robotics, haptic devices, shape morphing structures, etc. However, the predominant reliance on heating as the driving stimulus for LCEs has limited their practical applications. This drawback can be effectively addressed by incorporating fillers, which can generate heat under various stimuli. The recent progress in LCE composites has significantly expanded the application potential of LCEs. In this minireview, we present the design strategies for soft actuators with LCE composites, followed by a detailed exploration of photothermal and electrothermal LCE composites as prominent examples. Furthermore, we provide an outlook on the challenges and opportunities in the field of LCE composites. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:22:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2bb4c447b4a94cf8bb79110879843f9d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1947-5411 1947-542X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:22:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-2bb4c447b4a94cf8bb79110879843f9d2023-11-28T09:06:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Smart and Nano Materials1947-54111947-542X2023-10-0114444045910.1080/19475411.2023.2251926Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuatorsJianbo Sun0Chao Wang1Yongjiao Liu2Xudong Liang3Zhijian Wang4Aerospace Research Institute of Materials & Processing Technology, Fengtai, Beijing, ChinaAerospace Research Institute of Materials & Processing Technology, Fengtai, Beijing, ChinaAerospace Research Institute of Materials & Processing Technology, Fengtai, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, ChinaKey Laboratory of Aerospace Advanced Materials and Performance, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, ChinaABSTRACTLiquid crystal elastomers are active materials that combine the anisotropic properties of liquid crystals with the elasticity of polymer networks. The LCEs exhibit remarkable reversible contraction and elongation capabilities in response to external stimuli, rendering them highly promising for diverse applications, such as soft robotics, haptic devices, shape morphing structures, etc. However, the predominant reliance on heating as the driving stimulus for LCEs has limited their practical applications. This drawback can be effectively addressed by incorporating fillers, which can generate heat under various stimuli. The recent progress in LCE composites has significantly expanded the application potential of LCEs. In this minireview, we present the design strategies for soft actuators with LCE composites, followed by a detailed exploration of photothermal and electrothermal LCE composites as prominent examples. Furthermore, we provide an outlook on the challenges and opportunities in the field of LCE composites.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19475411.2023.2251926Liquid crystal elastomerssoft actuatorssoft robotsactive composites |
| spellingShingle | Jianbo Sun Chao Wang Yongjiao Liu Xudong Liang Zhijian Wang Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials Liquid crystal elastomers soft actuators soft robots active composites |
| title | Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators |
| title_full | Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators |
| title_fullStr | Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators |
| title_short | Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators |
| title_sort | liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators |
| topic | Liquid crystal elastomers soft actuators soft robots active composites |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19475411.2023.2251926 |
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