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Advancing interactive systems with liquid crystal network-based adaptive electronics

Author

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  • Pengrong Lyu

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Dirk J. Broer

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Danqing Liu

    (Eindhoven University of Technology
    Eindhoven University of Technology)

Abstract

Achieving adaptive behavior in artificial systems, analogous to living organisms, has been a long-standing goal in electronics and materials science. Efforts to integrate adaptive capabilities into synthetic electronics traditionally involved a typical architecture comprising of sensors, an external controller, and actuators constructed from multiple materials. However, challenges arise when attempting to unite these three components into a single entity capable of independently coping with dynamic environments. Here, we unveil an adaptive electronic unit based on a liquid crystal polymer that seamlessly incorporates sensing, signal processing, and actuating functionalities. The polymer forms a film that undergoes anisotropic deformations when exposed to a minor heat pulse generated by human touch. We integrate this property into an electric circuit to facilitate switching. We showcase the concept by creating an interactive system that features distributed information processing including feedback loops and enabling cascading signal transmission across multiple adaptive units. This system responds progressively, in a multi-layered cascade to a dynamic change in its environment. The incorporation of adaptive capabilities into a single piece of responsive material holds immense potential for expediting progress in next-generation flexible electronics, soft robotics, and swarm intelligence.

Suggested Citation

  • Pengrong Lyu & Dirk J. Broer & Danqing Liu, 2024. "Advancing interactive systems with liquid crystal network-based adaptive electronics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48353-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48353-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhenguo Gao & Cuiqin Fang & Yuanyuan Gao & Xin Yin & Siyuan Zhang & Jian Lu & Guanglei Wu & Hongjing Wu & Bingang Xu, 2025. "Hybrid electromagnetic and moisture energy harvesting enabled by ionic diode films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.

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