Shape Morphing by Topological Patterns and Profiles in Laser-Cut Liquid Crystal Elastomer Kirigami

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Soft Matter Physics
• Robotics

Background:

• Controlling mechanical responses in soft materials is crucial for programmable shape changes.
• Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) offer unique shape-shifting capabilities driven by molecular order.
• Kirigami, the art of paper cutting, provides a framework for creating complex structures from flat sheets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and remotely program reversible, complex shape morphing in monolithic LCE kirigami.
• To investigate the influence of topological patterns on microstructures and kirigami geometries.
• To model and understand the elastodynamic behavior driving these shape transformations.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs).
• Encoding topological patterns into LCE microstructures.
• Remote programming of shape changes.
• Elastodynamics simulations for modeling behavior.
• Fabrication of LCE kirigami with custom geometries.

Main Results:

• Achieved diverse out-of-plane shape transformations, including auxetic and undulating morphologies.
• Demonstrated reversible and complex morphing by combining topological microstructures and kirigami designs.
• Elastodynamics simulations accurately recapitulated spatiotemporal shape-shifting behaviors.
• Integrated custom geometry with local director profiles defined by topological defects.

Conclusions:

• LCE kirigami with topological patterns enables precise control over soft material deformation.
• The developed approach facilitates the creation of functional devices with bioinspired and dynamic movements.
• Opens avenues for multifunctional devices in soft robotics, flexible electronics, and biomedicine.