Liquid‐Crystal‐Elastomer‐Based Dissipative Structures by Digital Light Processing 3D Printing
Abstract
Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing enables the creation of hierarchical complex structures with specific micro‐ and macroscopic architectures that are impossible to achieve through traditional manufacturing methods. Here, this hierarchy is extended to the mesoscopic length scale for optimized devices that dissipate mechanical energy. A photocurable, thus DLP‐printable main‐chain liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) resin is reported and used to print a variety of complex, high‐resolution energy‐dissipative devices. Using compressive mechanical testing, the stress–strain responses of 3D‐printed LCE lattice structures are shown to have 12 times greater rate‐dependence and up to 27 times greater strain–energy dissipation compared to those printed from a commercially available photocurable elastomer resin. The reported behaviors of these structures provide further insight into the much‐overlooked energy‐dissipation properties of LCEs and can inspire the development of high‐energy‐absorbing device applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1002/adma.202000797
Entities
People
- Chaoqian Luo
- Christopher M Yakacki
- Devesh Mistry
- Kai Yu
- Nicholas A Traugutt
- Qi Ge
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- National Science Foundation
- Southern University of Science and Technology
- United States Army Research Laboratory
- United States Department of Energy
- University of Colorado Denver