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Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators
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Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Enhanced Directional Actuation to Electric Fields.
Hayden E Fowler1, Philipp Rothemund2,3, Christoph Keplinger2,3,4
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|September 12, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed new liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) for soft robotics. These materials exhibit significant electromechanical deformation, enabling precise control for applications like haptic surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Soft, stimuli-responsive materials are crucial for advanced robotic manipulation.
- Electrical control offers advantages in robotic actuation due to its speed, magnitude, and self-regulation potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with enhanced electromechanical properties for robotic applications.
- To demonstrate the use of these LCEs in creating shape-transforming actuators and haptic surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized LCEs with a 14:1 modulus contrast and increased dielectric constant.
- Coated LCEs with compliant electrodes to facilitate electromechanical deformation.
- Patterned the director orientation of LCEs to achieve 2D-3D shape transformations.
- Demonstrated individual and sequential addressing of LCE arrays for haptic feedback.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 20% directional expansion in LCEs upon application of an electric field (0.5–6 kV).
- Observed rapid deformation with strain rates up to 18% s⁻¹ and minimal hysteresis.
- Successfully transformed patterned LCEs into a cone shape (8 mm height).
- Demonstrated a functional haptic surface using an array of LCE actuators.
Conclusions:
- The developed LCEs offer a promising platform for creating electrically controlled soft robotic actuators.
- The ability to achieve significant deformation, rapid response, and shape transformation opens new avenues for dexterous manipulation and interactive surfaces.
