Mistry, D orcid.org/0000-0003-0012-6781, Traugutt, NA, Yu, K et al. (1 more author) (2021) Processing and reprocessing liquid crystal elastomer actuators. Journal of Applied Physics, 129 (13). 130901. ISSN 0021-8979
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have long been celebrated for their exceptional shape actuation and mechanical properties. For much of the last half century, a major focus for the field has been the development of LCE chemistries and how to process the so-called “monodomain” configurations. This foundation work has now led to a plethora of materials and processes that are enabling the demonstration of devices that are close to real-world applicability as responsive and reprocessable actuators. In this Perspective, we review and discuss the key recent developments in the processing of actuating LCE devices. We consider how processing has been used to increase the practicality of electrical, thermal, and photo stimulation of LCE shape actuation; how dynamic chemistries are enhancing the functionality and sustainability of LCE devices; and how new additive manufacturing technologies are overcoming the processing barriers that once confined LCE actuators to thin film devices. In our outlook, we consider all these factors together and discuss what developments over the coming years will finally lead to the realization of commercial shape actuating LCE technologies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 Author(s). This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and AIP Publishing. The following article appeared in Devesh Mistry, Nicholas A. Traugutt, Kai Yu, and Christopher M. Yakacki , "Processing and reprocessing liquid crystal elastomer actuators", Journal of Applied Physics 129, 130901 (2021) and may be found at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0044533. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Physics and Astronomy (Leeds) > Soft Matter Physics (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jun 2021 14:42 |
Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2023 22:41 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Institute of Physics |
Identification Number: | 10.1063/5.0044533 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:175192 |