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Soft elasticity optimises dissipation in 3D-printed liquid crystal elastomers

Author

Listed:
  • D. Mistry

    (University of Colorado Denver
    University of Leeds)

  • N. A. Traugutt

    (University of Colorado Denver
    Desktop Health)

  • B. Sanborn

    (Materials and Failure Modeling Department, Sandia National Laboratories)

  • R. H. Volpe

    (Impressio Inc., 12635 E. Montview Blvd, Suite 214)

  • L. S. Chatham

    (Impressio Inc., 12635 E. Montview Blvd, Suite 214)

  • R. Zhou

    (University of Colorado Denver)

  • B. Song

    (Materials and Failure Modeling Department, Sandia National Laboratories)

  • K. Yu

    (University of Colorado Denver)

  • K. N. Long

    (Materials and Failure Modeling Department, Sandia National Laboratories)

  • C. M. Yakacki

    (University of Colorado Denver
    Impressio Inc., 12635 E. Montview Blvd, Suite 214)

Abstract

Soft-elasticity in monodomain liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is promising for impact-absorbing applications where strain energy is ideally absorbed at constant stress. Conventionally, compressive and impact studies on LCEs have not been performed given the notorious difficulty synthesizing sufficiently large monodomain devices. Here, we use direct-ink writing 3D printing to fabricate bulk (>cm3) monodomain LCE devices and study their compressive soft-elasticity over 8 decades of strain rate. At quasi-static rates, the monodomain soft-elastic LCE dissipated 45% of strain energy while comparator materials dissipated less than 20%. At strain rates up to 3000 s−1, our soft-elastic monodomain LCE consistently performed closest to an ideal-impact absorber. Drop testing reveals soft-elasticity as a likely mechanism for effectively reducing the severity of impacts – with soft elastic LCEs offering a Gadd Severity Index 40% lower than a comparable isotropic elastomer. Lastly, we demonstrate tailoring deformation and buckling behavior in monodomain LCEs via the printed director orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Mistry & N. A. Traugutt & B. Sanborn & R. H. Volpe & L. S. Chatham & R. Zhou & B. Song & K. Yu & K. N. Long & C. M. Yakacki, 2021. "Soft elasticity optimises dissipation in 3D-printed liquid crystal elastomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27013-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27013-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Takuya Ohzono & Kaoru Katoh & Hiroyuki Minamikawa & Mohand O. Saed & Eugene M. Terentjev, 2021. "Internal constraints and arrested relaxation in main-chain nematic elastomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Qingrui Wang & Xiaoyong Tian & Daokang Zhang & Yanli Zhou & Wanquan Yan & Dichen Li, 2023. "Programmable spatial deformation by controllable off-center freestanding 4D printing of continuous fiber reinforced liquid crystal elastomer composites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Yu Cang & Jiaqi Liu & Meguya Ryu & Bartlomiej Graczykowski & Junko Morikawa & Shu Yang & George Fytas, 2022. "On the origin of elasticity and heat conduction anisotropy of liquid crystal elastomers at gigahertz frequencies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Xiaolu Sun & Shaoyun Chen & Bo Qu & Rui Wang & Yanyu Zheng & Xiaoying Liu & Wenjie Li & Jianhong Gao & Qinhui Chen & Dongxian Zhuo, 2023. "Light-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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