Kirigami-Inspired Light-Responsive Conical Spiral Actuators with Large Contraction Ratio Using Liquid Crystal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Soft Robotics
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are key smart materials for soft robotics.
• LCE fibers are noted for their rapid response.
• Programming molecular orientation in LCEs is crucial for applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, fast fabrication method for LCE fibers.
• To develop LCE actuators with enhanced contraction ratios.
• To explore light-induced manipulation of LCE actuator deformation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of LCE fibers using customizable cutting paths inspired by Kirigami.
• Secondary photo-cross-linking for programming molecular orientation.
• Integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into LCE fibers.

Main Results:

• Achieved a significantly higher contraction ratio of up to 80% in conical spiral actuators, compared to 30-40% in existing LCE actuators.
• Demonstrated control over contraction ratio by adjusting cutting path parameters.
• Showcased light-induced manipulation of the conical spiral deformation for gripping and twisting functionalities.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Kirigami-inspired LCE fiber fabrication method offers a new approach for programming and preparing LCE fibers.
• This method enables high-performance LCE actuators with tunable contraction ratios.
• The developed LCE actuators demonstrate versatile functionalities for smart soft material applications.