Stability analysis of a liquid crystal elastomer self-oscillator under a linear temperature field

Self-oscillating systems abound in the natural world and offer substantial potential for applications in controllers,micro-motors,medical equipments,and so on.Currently,numerical methods have been widely utilized for obtaining the characteristics of self-oscillation including amplitude and frequency.However,numerical methods are burdened by intricate computations and limited precision,hindering comprehensive investigations into self-oscillating systems.In this paper,the stability of a liquid crystal elastomer fiber self-oscillating system under a linear temperature field is studied,and analytical solutions for the amplitude and frequency are determined.Initially,we establish the governing equations of self-oscillation,elucidate two motion regimes,and reveal the underlying mechanism.Subsequently,we conduct a stability analysis and employ a multi-scale method to obtain the analytical solutions for the amplitude and frequency.The results show agreement between the multi-scale and numerical methods.This research contributes to the examination of diverse self-oscillating systems and advances the theoretical analysis of self-oscillating systems rooted in active materials.

Transient thermo-mechanical analysis for bimorph soft robot based on thermally responsive liquid crystal elastomers

Thermally responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) hold great promise in applications of soft robots and actuators because of the induced size and shape change with temperature. Experiments have successfully demonstrated that the LCE based bimorphs can be effective soft robots once integrated with soft sensors and thermal actuators. Here, we present an analytical transient thermo-mechanical model for a bimorph structure based soft robot, which consists of a strip of LCE and a thermal inert polymer actuated by an ultra-thin stretchable open-mesh shaped heater to mimic the unique locomotion behaviors of an inchworm. The coupled mechanical and thermal analysis based on the thermo-mechanical theory is carried out to underpin the transient bending behavior, and a systematic understanding is therefore achieved. The key analytical results reveal that the thickness and the modulus ratio of the LCE and the inert polymer layer dominate the transient bending deformation. The analytical results will not only render fundamental understanding of the actuation of bimorph structures, but also facilitate the rational design of soft robotics.

A minimal model for the auxetic response of liquid crystal elastomers

We develop a minimal phenomenological model to describe the auxetic response recently observed in liquid crystal elastomers, and further determine by theoretical calculation the critical condition required for the auxetic response to occur.

Regulating Actuations and Shapes of Liquid Crystal Elastomers through Combining Dynamic Covalent Bonds with Cooling-Rate-Mediated Control

Realizing multiple locked shapes in pre-oriented liquid crystal elastomers(LCEs)is highly desired for diversifying deformations and enhancing multi-functionality.However,conventional LCEs only deform between two shapes for each actuation cycle upon liquid crystal-isotropic phase transitions induced by external stimuli.Here,we propose to regulate the actuation modes and the locked shapes of a pre-orientated epoxy LCE by combining dynamic covalent bonds with cooling-rate-mediated control.The actuation modes can be adjusted on demand by exchange reactions of dynamic covalent bonds.Derived from the established actuation modes,such as elongation,bending,and spiraling,the epoxy LCE displays varied locked shapes at room temperature under different cooling rates.Various mediums are utilized to control the cooling rate,including water,silicone oil,and copper plates.This approach provides a novel way for regulating the actuation modes and locked shapes of cuttingedge intelligent devices.

DESIGN AND STUDY OF NEW AZOBENZENE LIQUID CRYSTAL/POLYMER MATERIALS

Discussion is presented on the use of the photoisomerization of azobenzene chromophore in the design andpreparation of novel functional materials. The two systems reviewed are azobenzene polymer-stabilized liquid crystals andazobenzene elastomers. In the first case, a polymer network containing azobenzene moieties is used to optically induce andstabilize a long-range liquid crystal orientation without the need of treating the surfaces of the substrates. This optical andrubbing-free approach was applied to nematic and ferroelectric liquid crystals. In the second case, an azobenzene side-chainliquid crystalline polymer is grafted onto a styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer to yield a photoactive thermoplasticelastomer. Coupled mechanical and optical effects make possible the formation of dimaction gratings that may be useful formechanically tunable optical devices.

Synthesis and Characterization of Liquid Crystal Elastomer

The thermal and mechanical properties of Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) were characterized using various techniques for understanding of their physical behavior. The material used for investigation was synthesized by us, using Finklemann procedure, with proper cross linking density in nematic phase. The material is found to have unique coupling between anisotropicorder of liquid crystal component and elasticity of polymer network. The chemical structures were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Fabry Perot Scattering Studies (FPSS), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimatory (DSC) were used to study thermal properties. The mechanical properties were studied using force sensor. Our investigation shows that this synthesized Liquid Crystal Elastomer has ability of spontaneous change as a function of temperature and mechanical force, which shows it as a unique class of soft material.

4D打印可编程液态金属-液晶弹性体软体致动器

为了得到能够可控制形变的液晶弹性体,提高其在软体致动器和软体机器人领域的应用潜力,本文报道了一种基于液态金属(LM)-液晶弹性体(LCE)的光驱动软体致动器。该软体致动器通过4D打印技术制备而成,展现出了良好的形变可编程性。通过超声将LM分散在乙醇中,随后将LM微米颗粒混合到配置好的液晶溶液中得到均匀的LM-LCE墨水,利用4D打印技术对其墨水的取向结构进行编程,最终制备出具有特定形变的软体致动器。通过4D打印,分别制备了具有交替正交和圆锥形阵列取向结构的LM-LCE软体致动器。该致动器具有良好的光热性能,在808 nm红外激光照射下,在10 s内致动器表面温度可达120℃。基于优越的光热性能,交替正交取向结构的致动器可以快速产生弯曲形变;而圆锥形阵列取向结构的致动器则以螺旋中心为顶点产生凸起形变。基于4D打印技术,LM-LCE的光驱动软体致动器具有良好的形状可编程性,在动态和复杂的环境中展现出更加优异的适应性及可调节性,有望在医疗、军事和软体机器人领域得到广泛应用。

液晶弹性体微结构及其应用

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。

改变本征形变特性:机械超材料启发的液晶弹性体研究进展

液晶弹性体是一类集成了液晶相的各向异性和聚合物基质的力学特性的材料,具有可操控的自主形变能力,在柔性电子、光学器件及生物医疗技术等诸多领域有广阔的应用前景。液晶弹性体的高级功能主要来源于其制备过程的处理方法和几何结构的构筑方式。不同的取向策略和结构的组合能够赋予材料复杂的形变模式和功能特性。近年的研究发现,将机械超材料与液晶弹性体结合能够实现常规材料设计难以实现的功能和特性,实现如双轴驱动、加热膨胀、多维运动等功能,应用在生物医疗、无电子传感、振动控制等领域。本文综述了利用超材料结构设计思路对液晶弹性体的取向及几何结构进行同步构筑的设计方法及其应用,介绍了3D打印技术在构建人造有序结构方面的应用及对材料性能的影响。

光控仿生液晶弹性体软执行器

随着自然界的不断进化,许多生物都表现出了适应环境的独特行为,为研究人员开发适应环境的智能材料和仿生软执行器提供了灵感。液晶弹性体(Liquid Crystal Elastomers,LCEs)软执行器作为智能软机器人的代表性执行元件,具有液晶各向异性和橡胶软弹性,在外部环境刺激下能够实现可逆、复杂的形状变化和运动能力。基于光驱动的LCEs执行器具备多种优势,包括强大的远程控制能力、迅速的响应时间以及高效的能量积累和释放机制。本文介绍了光控仿生LCEs软执行器中的LCEs形状变化响应机制及其性能,并展望了基于仿生设计的光控LCEs软执行器在智能机器人领域的应用前景。

移动光照下液晶弹性体固支梁的动态响应分析

液晶弹性体(LCE)梁在移动光照作用下会产生弯曲动态响应,为此建立LCE固支梁在移动光照下的动态模型,并推导出动态响应的控制方程。在此基础上,通过模态叠加法和Duhamel积分法获得LCE固支梁在移动光照下动态响应的解析解,并利用Matlab软件对模型进行编程进而分析物理参数对LCE固支梁动态响应的影响。结果表明:当移动光照的速度达到一阶临界速度时,固支梁跨中动态响应的振幅最大。此外,通过改变光照强度、LCE的材料收缩系数和阻尼系数等参数,可以有效调控动态响应。研究成果在软机器人、智能控制和能量转换等领域具有应用价值。

Light-triggered fluorochromic cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer with hydrogen-bonded fluorescent switch: dualmodal-switchable circularly polarized luminescence

Solid materials with dynamically tunable circularly polarized luminescence(CPL) feature higher security levels and devicefriendly characteristics, showing great superiority in the field of information technology and anti-counterfeiting. To address the limited photoisomerization of fluorescent photoswitch in CPL-active solid materials, here a cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer(CLCE) containing a hydrogen-bonded(H-bonded) polymerizable fluorescent switch AHBA-PSD is prepared. Owing to the good flexibility and low glass-transition temperature of CLCE, AHBA-PSD shows a fast and fully reversible photocyclization/cycloreversion with fluorochromic behavior in CLCE. Further, by controlling the spectral overlapping area between the emission and reflection bands, the CLCE exhibits a strong CPL with a g_(lum) value of up to 0.76 accompanied by a reversible phototunable CPL signal. Meanwhile, the H-bond helps to stabilize the mechanical property, and the force-induced switching-off of CPL signal could be achieved due to the destroyed helical structures by external force. Finally, an automatically-recognized identification card with abundant chiroptical information is demonstrated.

液晶弹性体纤维在智能响应领域的研究进展

液晶弹性体(LCEs)是一种包含液晶基元轻度交联的聚合物网络,兼具聚合物网络的软弹性和液晶基元的各向异性。通过编程分子取向可使LCEs在受到外界环境的刺激下实现非接触运动,表现出优异的弹性和驱动性能。液晶弹性体纤维作为LCEs的一种常见存在形式,由于纤维内液晶基元取向度高,对于各类型刺激响应更为灵敏,且具有良好的可编程特性和优异的机械强度,使其在众多领域展现出广阔的应用前景。综述了不同液晶弹性体纤维的主要制备方法及响应驱动机理。分析了不同驱动方式的液晶弹性体纤维体系,详细介绍了光响应型液晶弹性体纤维,简要论述了液晶弹性体纤维在柔性传感、自振荡系统、仿生、人工肌肉、软体机器人方面的最新研究进展,并对其发展前景进行了展望。

周期光照下液晶弹性体简支梁的振动响应研究

液晶弹性体(LCE)因其具有快速的光热响应和可逆变形等特性,在能量转换、软机器人和非接触控制等领域具有广泛的应用前景。本文利用液晶弹性体在外部光刺激下可与机械变形耦合的特性,建立了LCE简支梁的动态模型,研究了其在周期光照下的弯曲振动现象。首先建立了LCE简支梁的光驱动控制方程,然后通过振型叠加法获得方程的半解析解,再用Matlab软件编程计算其变化规律。计算结果表明,周期光照可以使LCE简支梁发生周期性振动,梁跨中的振动幅值可以通过阻尼因子、热弛豫时间、光照强度、光照周期和光照时间率来调节,振动平衡位置可以通过光强与热弛豫时间来调节,振动反应时间可以通过热弛豫时间与阻尼来调节。本文结果对光驱动运动的控制和光机能量转换系统的设计具有一定的指导意义。

Ionic Elastomers for Electric Actuators and Sensors

In the past decades,ion conductive polymers and elastomers have drawn worldwide attention for their advanced functions in batteries,electroactive soft robotics,and sensors.Stretchable ionic elastomers with dispersed soft ionic moieties such as ionic liquids have gained remarkable attention as soft sensors,in applications such as the wearable devices that are often called electric skins.A considerable amount of research has been done on ionic-elastomer-based strain,pressure,and shear sensors;however,to the best of our knowledge,this research has not yet been reviewed.In this review,we summarize the materials and performance properties of engineered ionic elastomer actuators and sensors.First,we review three classes of ionic elastomer actuators—namely,ionic polymer metal composites,ionic conducting polymers,and ionic polymer/carbon nanocomposites—and provide perspectives for future actuators,such as adaptive four-dimensional(4D)printed systems and ionic liquid crystal elastomers(iLCEs).Next,we review the state of the art of ionic elastomeric strain and pressure sensors.We also discuss future wearable strain sensors for biomechanical applications and sports performance tracking.Finally,we present the preliminary results of iLCE sensors based on flexoelectric signals and their amplification by integrating them with organic electrochemical transistors.

新型仿皮肤液晶聚氨酯弹性体的合成及其电子器件的制备

为研制与人体具有适配性的柔性基材,采用简单的一锅法合成了新型仿皮肤交联液晶聚氨酯(crosslinked liquid crystal polyurethane,CLCPU)弹性体。利用傅里叶变换红外光谱(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,FTIR)对液晶聚氨酯的结构进行了表征,采用热失重分析仪(thermogravimetric analyzer,TGA)和差示扫描量热仪(differential scanning calorimetry,DSC)对其进行热学性能表征,用动态热机械分析仪(dynamic mechanical analyzer,DMA)测试其黏弹性行为,利用热台偏光显微镜(polarized optical microscope,POM)和电子万能试验机分别测试液晶聚氨酯的液晶相行为和力学性能。进一步将所制备材料作为介电弹性体组装柔性摩擦纳米发电机(triboelectric nanogenerator,TENG),并用静电计对所获的TENG进行电输出性能测试。研究结果表明:合成的CLCPU表现出向列相液晶纹理,具有宽液晶相区间(30~200℃);其具有低模量((0.143±0.009)MPa)、高拉伸性(约1200%)及良好的弹性等类皮肤力学性能特点。由该CLCPU构建的TENG具有出色的电学性能(开路电压约275 V),有望应用于可穿戴式电源和生理监测领域。

氧化石墨烯/液晶弹性体复合膜的性能研究

近年来,氧化石墨烯/液晶弹性体复合膜凭借其稳定高效的光热性能,受到科学家的广泛关注。但目前研究者大多重点关注其光热响应行为及使用场景,并未系统研究外界刺激的强弱和复合膜自身的尺寸大小对其响应性能的影响。本文采用旋涂的方法在制备的具有固定取向的液晶薄膜上涂覆一层氧化石墨烯,制备了具有不同液晶分子取向的氧化石墨烯/液晶弹性复合膜,可以实现红外光和温度的双重刺激响应,并对其进行了响应性能和形变规律的表征和分析。实验结果表明,氧化石墨烯/液晶弹性体复合膜是一种红外-热响应型的复合膜,该复合膜由于裁剪方向的不同,会呈现2种不同的形变规律,以此为基础,研究了不同强度外场刺激下复合膜的响应特性,以及复合膜自身尺寸的不同对复合膜响应特性产生的影响。发现1型复合膜的响应性能主要受宽度影响,2型复合膜的响应性能主要受长度影响,为氧化石墨烯/液晶弹性体复合膜的应用提供了基础。使用该复合膜制备了仿生光热驱动器,证明了其在生物仿生领域的潜力。

Thiol-acrylate Catalyst Enabled Post-Synthesis Fabrication of Liquid Crystal Actuators

Synthesizing orientated liquid crystal elastomers(LCEs)via the two-stage thiol-acrylate Michael addition and photopolymerization(TAMAP)reaction is extensively used.However,excess acrylates,initiators,and strong stimuli are inevitably involved in the second stage crosslinking.Herein,we simplify the strategy through taking advantage of a volatile alkaline(originally added to catalyze the thiol-acrylate addition in the first crosslinking stage).Without excess functional groups,the residual catalyst after annealing is still enough to trigger reactions of dynamic covalent bonds at a relatively mild temperature(80℃)to program the alignment of LCEs.The reversible reaction switches off by itself after this process since the catalyst gradually but totally evaporates upon heating.The obtained soft actuators exhibit robust actuation during repeated deformation(over 1000 times).Many shape-morphing modes can be achieved by rationally designing orientation patterns.This strategy not only facilitates the practical synthesis of LCE actuators,but also balances the intrinsic conflict between stability and reprogrammability of exchangeable LCEs.Moreover,the method of applying volatile catalysts has the potential to be extended to other dynamic covalent bonds(DCBs)applied to crosslinked polymer systems.

Liquid crystal elastomer composites for soft actuators

Liquid crystal elastomers are active materials that combine the anisotropic properties of liquid crystals with the elasticity of polymer networks.The LCEs exhibit remarkable reversible contraction and elongation capabilities in response to external stimuli,rendering them highly promising for diverse applications,such as soft robotics,haptic devices,shape morphing structures,etc,However,the predominant reliance on heating as the driving stimulus for LCEs has limited their practical applications.This drawback can be effectively addressed by incorporating fllers,which can generate heat under various stimuli.The recent progress in LCE composites has significantly expanded the application potential of LCEs.In this minireview,we present the design strategies for soft actuators with LCE composites,followed by a detailed exploration of photothermal and electrothermal LCE.composites as prominent examples.Furthermore,we provide an outlook on the challenges and opportunities in the feld of LCE composites.

胆甾相液晶弹性体的研究进展

胆甾相液晶弹性体(Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer,CLCE)是一种新型的软智能材料,它将胆甾相液晶(Cholesteric liquid crystal,CLC)独特的光学性质与弹性体优异的力学性能结合到一起。相较于普通的CLC,CLCE具有可逆、无延迟的力学调控能力,将CLC刺激响应性的利用提升到了新的高度,在信息加密防伪、柔性致动器、力学传感等领域引起了越来越多的关注。随着相关研究的深入,CLCE的制备方法不断完善,材料性能不断提高,CLCE的各种潜在应用被挖掘出来。本文介绍了CLCE的基本特点、制备与取向方法,以及不同类型的外场刺激响应行为,并对CLCE的应用前景进行了展望。