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Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers

Author

Listed:
  • Andraž Rešetič

    (J. Stefan Institute
    Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School)

  • Jerneja Milavec

    (J. Stefan Institute
    Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School)

  • Blaž Zupančič

    (J. Stefan Institute)

  • Valentina Domenici

    (Università degli studi di Pisa)

  • Boštjan Zalar

    (J. Stefan Institute
    Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School)

Abstract

The need for mechanical manipulation during the curing of conventional liquid crystal elastomers diminishes their applicability in the field of shape-programmable soft materials and future applications in additive manufacturing. Here we report on polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers, novel composite materials that eliminate this difficulty. Their thermal shape memory anisotropy is imprinted by curing in external magnetic field, providing for conventional moulding of macroscopically sized soft, thermomechanically active elastic objects of general shapes. The binary soft-soft composition of isotropic elastomer matrix, filled with freeze-fracture-fabricated, oriented liquid crystal elastomer microparticles as colloidal inclusions, allows for fine-tuning of thermal morphing behaviour. This is accomplished by adjusting the concentration, spatial distribution and orientation of microparticles or using blends of microparticles with different thermomechanical characteristics. We demonstrate that any Gaussian thermomechanical deformation mode (bend, cup, saddle, left and right twist) of a planar sample, as well as beat-like actuation, is attainable with bilayer microparticle configurations.

Suggested Citation

  • Andraž Rešetič & Jerneja Milavec & Blaž Zupančič & Valentina Domenici & Boštjan Zalar, 2016. "Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13140
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13140
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    Cited by:

    1. Matej Bobnar & Nikita Derets & Saide Umerova & Valentina Domenici & Nikola Novak & Marta Lavrič & George Cordoyiannis & Boštjan Zalar & Andraž Rešetič, 2023. "Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers as moldable shape-programmable material," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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