液晶弹性体微结构及其应用

Liquid crystal elastomer micro-structures and their applications

液晶弹性体因其可编程的形变与高达400%的应变而在微型医用机器人、可调控表面微结构、微流控等微观尺度领域有着重要的潜在应用。液晶弹性体微结构的制作需要同时兼顾高分辨率分子取向和高精度微米尺度结构,对分子取向和微纳加工技术有着很高的要求。本文综述了液晶弹性体分子取向的方法和微结构的先进加工技术,总结了其在微驱动器、人工肌肉纤维、可调控表面等方向的应用进展,并展望了液晶弹性体微结构在微型医用机器人领域的未来发展趋势。

Liquid crystal elastomers(LCEs)have potential applications in medical micro-robotics,controllable surface microstructures,and microfluidics due to their programmable shape morphing and up to 400%strain.To achieve high-resolution molecular orientations and high-precision LCE microstructures,advanced alignment and micro/nano-fabrication techniques are required.Here,we presented current alignment techniques and micro/nano-fabrication techniques for LCE micro-structures,summarized their applications in micro-actuators,artificial muscle fibers,and controllable surfaces,and envisaged their future development in medical micro-robotics.