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Thermal-Responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foam-based Compressible and Omnidirectional Gripper
Xinyuhang Zhang1, Wei Liao1, Yunpeng Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Organic Optoelectronics & Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education, Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, P. R. China.
Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|June 16, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel Liquid Crystal Elastomer (LCE) foam gripper fabricated using a salt template method. This innovative soft gripper exhibits remarkable compressibility and omnidirectional heat-following capabilities for safe object manipulation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) offer large, reversible deformations suitable for soft grippers.
- Existing LCE grippers lack sufficient compressibility and omnidirectional movement.
- Developing LCE materials with enhanced functionality is crucial for advanced soft robotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate a novel LCE foam gripper with improved compressibility and omnidirectional capabilities.
- To investigate the thermal responsiveness and bending behavior of the LCE foam.
- To demonstrate the practical application of the LCE foam gripper in handling hot objects.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of rod-like LCE foam using a salt template method.
- Characterization of the foam's compressibility (up to 77% thickness reduction).
- Evaluation of thermal responsiveness (up to 57% length contraction) and bending behavior (up to 93°).
Main Results:
- The LCE foam gripper demonstrated significant reversible thickness reduction, enabling passage through narrow spaces.
- The foam exhibited reversible contraction along its alignment axis in response to heat.
- The gripper showed omnidirectional bending towards a heat source due to thermal gradients and low thermal conductivity.
- Successful grasping, movement, and release of hot objects were achieved in a controlled environment.
Conclusions:
- The developed LCE foam is a promising material for soft gripper design, offering tunable compressibility and omnidirectional thermal responsiveness.
- The gripper's ability to safely handle hot objects highlights its potential for emergency disposal applications.
- This work advances the development of functional LCE materials for soft robotics and remote manipulation.
