A framework for handweaving robotic textiles with liquid crystal elastomer fibers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Textile production offers strategies for creating functional materials at the fiber scale.
• Environmentally responsible materials can be integrated into fabric architectures for programmable 3D structural morphing.
• Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are promising for reversible actuation in fabric constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate programmable and reversible shape-changing behaviors in woven textiles.
• To embed LCE fiber functionality into single and multi-layered woven structures.
• To explore the potential of actuated textiles for multi-functional devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing traditional textile manufacturing techniques.
• Exploring the woven textile design space.
• Embedding liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) fibers into woven structures.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated programmable and reversible curling, puffing, and in-plane shrinkage behaviors in textiles.
• Showcased predictable shifts in fabric structure influencing mechanical properties and form factor.
• Successfully integrated LCE functionality into single and multi-layered woven fabrics.

Conclusions:

• Woven textiles with embedded LCE fibers exhibit programmable and reversible shape-changing capabilities.
• Fabric structural changes directly impact mechanical properties and form factor of actuated textiles.
• This work opens new directions for engineering flexible, stimuli-responsive materials and multi-functional devices.