Actuation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomers at or Below Ambient Temperature
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) are an emerging class of material actuators. LCE undergo macroscopic dimensional changes when subjected to a stimulus. The large stimuli‐response of LCE is associated with thermotropic disruption of order. Historically, comparatively high temperatures are required to disrupt orientation in LCE to achieve meaningful work output. Here, we introduce an approach to prepare LCE via thiol‐Michael/thiol–ene reactions that actuate at or below ambient temperature. Alignment was imparted to the LCE by mechanical alignment and 3D printing. The LCE materials detailed here achieve strains of 40 % with a maximum deformation rate of 6.5 % °C−1. The functional utility of the tunability of the thermotropic response of these materials is illustrated in reconfiguration triggered via body heat and sequential actuation of a multi‐material element.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1002/ange.202202577
Entities
People
- Grant E. Bauman
- Joselle M McCracken
- Timothy White
Organizations
- United States Department of Defense
- University of Colorado Boulder