3D Microstructures of Liquid Crystal Networks with Programmed Voxelated Director Fields

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Soft Matter Physics

Background:

• Liquid crystal networks (LCNs) and elastomers (LCEs) exhibit shape-shifting properties driven by molecular alignment and geometry.
• Previous fabrication methods limited 2D-to-3D shape transformations and precise control over microscale 3D constructs.
• Recent advances offer opportunities for 3D-to-3D shape transformations, but microscale alignment control remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate voxel-by-voxel encoding of nematic alignment in 3D LCN microstructures.
• To achieve high-resolution 3D director fields in microscale constructs.
• To enable designable 3D shape transformations in LCNs.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing two-photon polymerization for fabricating 3D LCN microstructures.
• Employing high-resolution topographical features to encode nematic alignment.
• Creating 3D microstructures (films, coils, rings) with designable 2D and 3D director fields at 5 µm resolution.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated voxel-by-voxel encoding of nematic alignment in 3D LCN microstructures.
• Achieved 3D LCN microstructures with designable 2D and 3D director fields at 5 µm resolution.
• Elicited distinct shape transformations from identical LCN microstructures with varying molecular alignments upon actuation.

Conclusions:

• The developed strategy offers enhanced freedom in programming 3D LCN microstructures' shape-changing behavior.
• This technique expands the potential applications of LCNs in emerging technologies.
• Opens new avenues for creating sophisticated soft robots, micro-devices, and responsive surfaces.