Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform
Abstract Liquid Crystalline Elastomers (LCEs) are elastomeric actuators capable of reversible shape change under external stimulation such as heat or light. This ability makes them prime candidates for use in the field of soft robotics, with examples of explored applications ranging from heart patch...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley-VCH
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Nano Select |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/nano.202300026 |
| _version_ | 1797831026635964416 |
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| author | Alexandra Gablier Eugene M. Terentjev |
| author_facet | Alexandra Gablier Eugene M. Terentjev |
| author_sort | Alexandra Gablier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Liquid Crystalline Elastomers (LCEs) are elastomeric actuators capable of reversible shape change under external stimulation such as heat or light. This ability makes them prime candidates for use in the field of soft robotics, with examples of explored applications ranging from heart patches to active yarn. Here, we apply LCE actuation to the field of dynamic Braille displays, with the small Braille pins capable of being either flat or protruding on demand. We demonstrate that the complex and numerous moving parts of a dynamic Braille device could be replaced by a single sheet of LCEs embossed with small actuating bumps. A simple molding procedure produces a surface patterned with at‐scale Braille bumps, as a result of a precise and complex internal organization within the elastomer sample that emerges during polymerization. Unlike in previous attempts to use LCEs for Braille technology, our millimeter‐scale protruding features are generated out of the bulk of the material, resulting in structural integrity, and high resistance to compression force. The localized bump‐to‐flat reversible actuation occurs on a timescale of seconds. The potential of this development for application into a complete Braille dynamic display are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:46:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ff149c5f061848aebd719d5a0e5797fc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2688-4011 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:46:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Wiley-VCH |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nano Select |
| spelling | doaj.art-ff149c5f061848aebd719d5a0e5797fc2023-05-09T04:49:04ZengWiley-VCHNano Select2688-40112023-05-014532433210.1002/nano.202300026Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platformAlexandra Gablier0Eugene M. Terentjev1Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge Cambridge UKCavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge Cambridge UKAbstract Liquid Crystalline Elastomers (LCEs) are elastomeric actuators capable of reversible shape change under external stimulation such as heat or light. This ability makes them prime candidates for use in the field of soft robotics, with examples of explored applications ranging from heart patches to active yarn. Here, we apply LCE actuation to the field of dynamic Braille displays, with the small Braille pins capable of being either flat or protruding on demand. We demonstrate that the complex and numerous moving parts of a dynamic Braille device could be replaced by a single sheet of LCEs embossed with small actuating bumps. A simple molding procedure produces a surface patterned with at‐scale Braille bumps, as a result of a precise and complex internal organization within the elastomer sample that emerges during polymerization. Unlike in previous attempts to use LCEs for Braille technology, our millimeter‐scale protruding features are generated out of the bulk of the material, resulting in structural integrity, and high resistance to compression force. The localized bump‐to‐flat reversible actuation occurs on a timescale of seconds. The potential of this development for application into a complete Braille dynamic display are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1002/nano.202300026Brailledynamic Braille displayliquid crystal elastomerssoft robotics |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Gablier Eugene M. Terentjev Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform Nano Select Braille dynamic Braille display liquid crystal elastomers soft robotics |
| title | Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform |
| title_full | Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform |
| title_fullStr | Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform |
| title_full_unstemmed | Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform |
| title_short | Flexible force‐bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform |
| title_sort | flexible force bearing liquid crystalline elastomer component toward a dynamic braille platform |
| topic | Braille dynamic Braille display liquid crystal elastomers soft robotics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/nano.202300026 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alexandragablier flexibleforcebearingliquidcrystallineelastomercomponenttowardadynamicbrailleplatform AT eugenemterentjev flexibleforcebearingliquidcrystallineelastomercomponenttowardadynamicbrailleplatform |