Programmable Complex Shape Changing of Polysiloxane Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Elastomers.

ABSTRACT: Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are shape-morphing materials whose large and reversible shape transformations are caused by the coupling between the mobile anisotropic properties of liquid crystal (LC) units and the rubber elastic of polymer networks. Their shape-changing behaviors under certain stimuli are largely directed by the LC orientation; therefore, various strategies have been developed to spatially modulate the LC alignments. However, most of these methods are limited as they require complex fabrication technologies or have intrinsic limitations in applicability. To address this issue, programmable complex shape changes in some LCE types, such as polysiloxane side-chain LCEs, thiol-acrylate main-chain LCEs, etc., were achieved by using a mechanical alignment programming process

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10303392 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature