Programmable and Reversible 3D-to-3D Shape Transformation: Hierarchical Multimodal Morphing Based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers.

ABSTRACT: Achieving programmable morphing in 3D-to-3D shapes of soft actuators based on liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), particularly those with multimodal transformations and non-zero Gaussian curvature, remains a significant challenge. Here, a facile strategy is presented to create 3D LCE-elastomer (LCE-Ela) bilayer structures capable of customizable and programmable 3D-to-3D shape transformations, generating reversible and multimodal morphologies with nonzero Gaussian curvature. By combining two types of mismatch strains-pre-stretch and thermal strains-in LCE-Ela bilayer, the approach enables hierarchical multimodal transformations: starting from a 2D initial configuration, programmable transformations enable the formation of complex 3D structures, which can subsequently transition into other 3D s

SUBMITTER: Tian J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12561347 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature