Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Trainable soft electronics with memory in liquid crystal polymers.

Science advances·2026

Same author

4D Printable Formulations of Mixed Low and High Molecular Weight Liquid Crystalline Units: A Versatile Route to Functional Soft Actuators.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2026

Same author

Shape programming of liquid crystal elastomers by two-stage wavelength-selective photopolymerization.

Materials horizons·2025

Same author

Phototunable Chiral-Selective Nanoporous Material.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2025

Same author

Gating Gas Permeability Through Dynamic Cracking of Liquid Crystal Polymer Membranes.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2025

Same author

Dual-Functional Transparent Projection Film with Privacy Protection via Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Polymer Networks.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

Published on: February 6, 2016

Active Surfaces Formed in Liquid Crystal Polymer Networks.

Mert O Astam^1,2, Yuanyuan Zhan^1,2, Thierry K Slot^1,2

¹Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven AE 5612, The Netherlands.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|February 10, 2022

Summary

Researchers are developing dynamic surfaces using liquid crystal polymer networks (LCNs) for applications like self-cleaning solar cells. These LCN dynamic surfaces offer switchable wetting, friction, and lubrication properties, advancing material science.

Keywords:

dynamic surface topographies free volume liquid crystal polymer networks liquid secretion soft robotic functions

More Related Videos

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Published on: June 30, 2018

Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light

Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light

Published on: September 20, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

Preparation of Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Liquid Crystal Elastomer Nanocomposites

Published on: February 6, 2016

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Fabricating Reactive Surfaces with Brush-like and Crosslinked Films of Azlactone-Functionalized Block Co-Polymers

Published on: June 30, 2018

Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light

Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light

Published on: September 20, 2017

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Science
Surface Science

Background:

Growing interest in animating materials for dynamic surfaces.
Dynamic surfaces offer applications in switchable wetting, friction, lubrication, and self-cleaning technologies.
Liquid crystal polymer networks (LCNs) are a key material for creating dynamic surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe recent advances in LCN dynamic surfaces.
To focus on substrate-based topographies and dynamic porous networks.
To discuss insights into deformation mechanisms and LCN applications.

Main Methods:

Utilizing the "free volume" principle to understand deformation mechanisms.
Exploring photo-/electropatterning techniques for LCNs.
Investigating dynamic porous networks and free-volume channeling.

Main Results:

Demonstrated scope of LCN technology through various patterning and distortion methods.
Showcased oscillating/programmable network distortion.
Highlighted the development of porous LCNs.

Conclusions:

LCN dynamic surfaces show significant promise for advanced applications.
Further development in LCNs can enhance existing technologies like solar cells.
The outlook for LCN technology in dynamic surface applications is positive.