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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators

Microfluidic Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators

Published on: May 20, 2018

Shape Morphing Directed by Spatially Encoded, Dually Responsive Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Micro-Actuators.

Mingzhu Liu¹, Lishuai Jin¹, Shengsong Yang²

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|November 7, 2022

Summary

Researchers developed novel micro-actuators from liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) that can be independently controlled. This breakthrough enables complex shape morphing in materials for advanced applications like soft robotics and smart sensors.

Keywords:

liquid crystalline elastomers micro-actuators shape morphing spatial encoding

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Soft Robotics

Background:

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) possess intrinsic molecular anisotropy, enabling shape morphing under external stimuli.
Programming precise local control over individual mesogenic units in LCEs is challenging due to covalent polymer chain linkages.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize dually responsive, spindle-shaped micro-actuators from LCE composites.
To demonstrate complex shape morphing by embedding these micro-actuators in a nonresponsive elastomer matrix.
To decouple actuator and matrix properties for broader material programming.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of spindle-shaped LCE micro-actuators with dual responsiveness (magnetic field reorientation, thermal shape change).
Embedding discrete micro-actuators into a conventional elastomer with programmed height and orientation.
Utilizing cooperative actuation of embedded micro-actuators for shape morphing.
Employing finite element analysis to corroborate experimental results.

Main Results:

Successfully synthesized LCE micro-actuators exhibiting magnetic reorientation and thermal shape change.
Demonstrated robust and complex shape morphing through cooperative actuation of embedded micro-actuators.
Showcased spatial encoding of micro-actuators within a nonresponsive matrix for decoupled control.
Finite element analysis validated the observed shape morphing behavior.

Conclusions:

Spatial encoding of discrete micro-actuators in a nonresponsive matrix enables independent control over local and global shape responses.
This approach broadens the material palette for programming complex stimuli-responsive behaviors.
The developed technology has potential applications in soft robotics, smart wearables, and sensors.