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Spatially programmed alignment and actuation in printed liquid crystal elastomers.

Rodrigo Telles1, Arda Kotikian1, Guillaume Freychet2

  • 1John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) can be 3D printed with controlled shape-morphing capabilities. Optimizing nozzle geometry and printing parameters, like the Weissenberg number (Wi), ensures uniform director alignment for enhanced performance.

Keywords:
3D printingin operando X-ray scatteringliquid crystal elastomers

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) possess unique shape-morphing properties driven by their nematic-to-isotropic transition.
  • 3D printing of LCEs offers a pathway to engineer complex, functional materials.
  • Controlling the alignment of the nematic director during printing is crucial for achieving desired material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of ink composition, nozzle geometry, and printing parameters on nematic director alignment in 3D printed LCEs.
  • To establish the Weissenberg number (Wi) as a key parameter predicting director alignment.
  • To explore methods for achieving spatially controlled shape-morphing transitions in LCE architectures.

Main Methods:

  • Rheological measurements to determine ink flow behavior and calculate the Weissenberg number (Wi).
  • 3D printing experiments using tapered and hyperbolic nozzles to assess director alignment.
  • COMSOL simulations and in operando X-ray measurements to analyze director alignment and flow fields.
  • Varying printing parameters, including flow rate, to manipulate Wi during the printing process.

Main Results:

  • The Weissenberg number (Wi) effectively predicts LCE director alignment during 3D printing.
  • Director alignment is radially non-uniform in tapered nozzles for Wi < 1 and uniform for Wi ≫ 1.
  • Hyperbolic nozzles yield more uniform director alignment compared to tapered nozzles at equivalent Wi.
  • Printing with hyperbolic nozzles significantly enhances the stiffness and actuation strain of LCEs.
  • Dynamic adjustment of Wi during printing enables the creation of LCEs with locally encoded shape-morphing behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Nozzle geometry and printing conditions, particularly the Weissenberg number, are critical for controlling director alignment in 3D printed LCEs.
  • Hyperbolic nozzle designs offer superior control over director alignment, leading to improved material properties.
  • The ability to dynamically control Wi opens new possibilities for fabricating sophisticated LCE structures with tailored functionalities.