101
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Lugger SJ, Houben SJA, Foelen Y, Debije MG, Schenning APHJ, Mulder DJ. Hydrogen-Bonded Supramolecular Liquid Crystal Polymers: Smart Materials with Stimuli-Responsive, Self-Healing, and Recyclable Properties. Chem Rev 2022; 122:4946-4975. [PMID: 34428022 PMCID: PMC8915167 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystalline polymers have emerged as promising "smart" supramolecular functional materials with stimuli-responsive, self-healing, and recyclable properties. The hydrogen bonds can either be used as chemically responsive (i.e., pH-responsive) or as dynamic structural (i.e., temperature-responsive) moieties. Responsiveness can be manifested as changes in shape, color, or porosity and as selective binding. The liquid crystalline self-organization gives the materials their unique responsive nanostructures. Typically, the materials used for actuators or optical materials are constructed using linear calamitic (rod-shaped) hydrogen-bonded complexes, while nanoporous materials are constructed from either calamitic or discotic (disk-shaped) complexes. The dynamic structural character of the hydrogen bond moieties can be used to construct self-healing and recyclable supramolecular materials. In this review, recent findings are summarized, and potential future applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J.
D. Lugger
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Simon J. A. Houben
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Yari Foelen
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Michael G. Debije
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P. H. J. Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE
Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), South China Normal University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 510006 Guangzhou, China
- Institute
for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven
University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J. Mulder
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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102
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Liu J, Zeng H, Cheng M, Wang Z, Wang J, Cen M, Luo D, Priimagi A, Liu YJ. Photoelastic plasmonic metasurfaces with ultra-large near infrared spectral tuning. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:942-951. [PMID: 34942638 PMCID: PMC8900491 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh01377g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Metasurfaces, consisting of artificially fabricated sub-wavelength meta-atoms with pre-designable electromagnetic properties, provide novel opportunities to a variety of applications such as light detectors/sensors, local field imaging and optical displays. Currently, the tuning of most metasurfaces requires redesigning and reproducing the entire structure, rendering them ineligible for post-fabrication shape-morphing or spectral reconfigurability. Here, we report a photoelastic metasurface with an all-optical and reversible resonance tuning in the near infrared range. The photoelastic metasurface consists of hexagonal gold nanoarrays deposited on a deformable substrate made of a liquid crystalline network. Upon photo-actuation, the substrate deforms, causing the lattice to change and, as a result, the plasmon resonance to shift. The centre wavelength of the plasmon resonance exhibits an ultra-large spectral tuning of over 245 nm, from 1490 to 1245 nm, while the anisotropic deformability also endows light-switchable sensitivity in probing polarization. The proposed concept establishes a light-controlled soft platform that is of great potential for tunable/reconfigurable photonic devices, such as nano-filters, -couplers, -holograms, and displays with structural colors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxun Liu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Hao Zeng
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere FI-33101, Finland.
| | - Ming Cheng
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Zhenming Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Mengjia Cen
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere FI-33101, Finland.
| | - Yan Jun Liu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
- Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies (Southern University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, Shenzhen 518055, China
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103
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Jin Q, Tao D, Lu Y, Sun J, Lam CH, Su G, He Y. New insight on occurrence of liquid crystal monomers: A class of emerging e-waste pollutants in municipal landfill leachate. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:127146. [PMID: 34536849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) have been proposed as a class of emerging organic pollutants, which were recently detected in indoor dust and sediment samples collected near electronic devices recycling facilities. However, there is a knowledge gap for analytical method, occurrence, and distribution of LCMs in aqueous sample. Herein, a robust method was developed to determine 38 target LCMs in landfill leachate. A combined ultrasonic enhanced liquid-liquid extraction, saponification and silica/florisil packed column purification method achieved recoveries of 76.9~127.1%, 84.5~114.6% and 81.3~104.6% at spiking levels of 2 ng, 10 ng and 50 ng in leachate, respectively. The developed method was validated through determination of target LCMs in leachate samples collected from municipal landfills in Hong Kong (HK) and Shenzhen (SZ), China. There were 23 and 20 LCMs detected in the HK (ΣLCMs=1120 ng/L) and SZ (ΣLCMs=409 ng/L) sample, respectively, with 6 LCMs newly detected in the environment. This study provided the first evidence suggesting that landfill leachate might be a potential sink of LCMs emitted from e-waste. Future study is urged to investigate the potential migration of LCMs from landfill leachate as a point source, and their occurrence, distribution, fate, and ecotoxicological risk in aquatic environments on regional and global scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Jin
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Danyang Tao
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yichun Lu
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiaji Sun
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun Ho Lam
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guanyong Su
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuhe He
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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104
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Lugger SJD, Mulder DJ, Schenning APHJ. One-Pot Synthesis of Melt-Processable Supramolecular Soft Actuators. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202115166. [PMID: 34826175 PMCID: PMC9300041 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The application of reprocessable and reprogrammable soft actuators is limited by the synthetic strategies, 3D-shaping capabilities, and small deformations. In this work, melt-processable supramolecular soft actuators based on segmented copolymers containing thiourethane and liquid crystal segments have been prepared via sequential thiol addition reactions in a one-pot approach using commercially available building blocks. The actuators demonstrated immediate, reversible response and weightlifting capabilities with large deformations up to 32 %. Through exploiting the supramolecular cross-links, the material could be recycled and reprogrammed into 3D actuators and welded into an actuator assembly with different deformation modes. Our work offers a one-pot synthesis and straightforward melt-processable approach to prepare supramolecular soft actuators with large deformations that can be reprocessed and reprogrammed into arbitrary 3D shapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. D. Lugger
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and DevicesDepartment of Chemical Engineering and ChemistryEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 5135600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Dirk J. Mulder
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and DevicesDepartment of Chemical Engineering and ChemistryEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 5135600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Albertus P. H. J. Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and DevicesDepartment of Chemical Engineering and ChemistryEindhoven University of TechnologyP.O. Box 5135600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular SystemsEindhoven University of TechnologyDen Dolech 25600 MBEindhovenThe Netherlands
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105
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Lugger SJD, Mulder DJ, Schenning APHJ. One‐Pot Synthesis of Melt‐Processable Supramolecular Soft Actuators. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. D. Lugger
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J. Mulder
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Albertus P. H. J. Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems Eindhoven University of Technology Den Dolech 2 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
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106
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Zhou Y, Wang L, Ma S, Zhang H. Fully Room-Temperature Reprogrammable, Reprocessable, and Photomobile Soft Actuators from a High-Molecular-Weight Main-Chain Azobenzene Crystalline Poly(ester-amide). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:3264-3273. [PMID: 34991314 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c18647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Azobenzene (azo) polymer photoactuators with full room-temperature reprogrammability, reprocessability, and photomobility are highly desirable for large-scale applications, but their development remains a daunting challenge. Herein, a strategy is first presented for fabricating such advanced photoactuators from a high-molecular-weight main-chain azo crystalline poly(ester-amide) (PEA) prepared via Michael addition polymerization. This azo PEA can be readily processed into both physically cross-linked, uniaxially oriented fibers and films with high mechanical robustness and reversible photoinduced bending/unbending at room temperature. Importantly, the presence of both amide unit-induced hydrogen bonding and crystalline domains in such films and fibers endows them with dynamic, yet stable cross-linking points, which enable their easy reprogrammability under strain at room temperature into various three-dimensional (3D) shapes (e.g., film helicoid and spiral ribbon, fiber spring) capable of showing completely different shape-dependent photomobile modes. In particular, these reshaped photoactuators can maintain their accurate 3D shapes and highly reversible photoinduced motions even after being kept at 80 °C for 20 days or at 100 °C for 2 days. They can also be reprocessed and recycled from solution at room temperature. Such a multifunctional main-chain azo crystalline PEA can serve as a versatile platform for fabricating various photoactuators with desired 3D shapes and motion modes under mild ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shengkui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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107
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Gurboga B, Tuncgovde EB, Kemiklioglu E. Liquid Crystal‐Based Elastomers in Tissue Engineering. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1047-1052. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.28038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Berfin Gurboga
- Engineering Faculty Manisa Celal Bayar University Manisa Turkey
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108
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Luo C, Chung C, Yakacki CM, Long K, Yu K. Real-Time Alignment and Reorientation of Polymer Chains in Liquid Crystal Elastomers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:1961-1972. [PMID: 34931796 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) exhibit soft elasticity due to the alignment and reorientation of mesogens upon mechanical loading, which provides additional mechanisms to absorb and dissipate energy. This enhanced response makes LCEs potentially transformative materials for biomedical devices, tissue replacements, and protective equipment. However, there is a critical knowledge gap in understanding the highly rate-dependent dissipative behaviors of LCEs due to the lack of real-time characterization techniques that probe the microscale network structure and link it to the mechanical deformation of LCEs. In this work, we employ in situ optical measurements to evaluate the alignment and reorientation degree of mesogens in LCEs. The data are correlated to the quantitative physical analysis using polarized Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The time scale of mesogen alignment is determined at different strain levels and loading rates. The mesogen reorientation kinetics is characterized to establish its relationship with the macroscale tensile strain, and compared to theoretical predictions. Overall, this work provides the first detailed study on the time-dependent evolution of mesogen alignment and reorientation in deformed LCEs. It also provides an effective and more accessible approach for other researchers to investigate the structural-property relationships of different types of polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqian Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Christopher Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Christopher M Yakacki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Kevin Long
- Materials and Failure Modeling Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, United States
| | - Kai Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
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109
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Annapooranan R, Wang Y, Cai S. Highly Durable and Tough Liquid Crystal Elastomers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:2006-2014. [PMID: 34978801 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are soft materials that exhibit interesting anisotropic and actuation properties. The emerging applications of thermally actuatable LCEs demand sufficient mechanical durability under various thermomechanical cycles. Although LCEs are tough at room temperature, they become very brittle at high temperature (above their actuation temperature), which can cause unexpected failure. We demonstrate a strategy to improve the high temperature fracture and fatigue properties of LCEs by designing interpenetrating polymer networks using a second polyurethane network. By selecting the appropriate composition of the polyurethane networks, the high temperature fracture and fatigue properties of LCEs were significantly enhanced, while retaining their actuation properties. The strategy from this work will help fabricate LCE-based actuators that are tough and durable at high temperatures and under cyclic loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raja Annapooranan
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Yang Wang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Shengqiang Cai
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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110
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Ohzono T, Koyama E. Effects of photo-isomerizable side groups on the phase and mechanical properties of main-chain nematic elastomers. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00256f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of main-chain nematic liquid crystal elastomers containing various photo-isomerizable side groups branching from the main chain were synthesized. The effects of the side groups on the thermal phase and mechanical properties were explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Ohzono
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
| | - Emiko Koyama
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
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111
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Foelen Y, van Gils NJM, Claessen MDT, Schenning APHJ. Multicolor photonic patterns through an intensity-controlled single photopolymerization step. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:10833-10836. [PMID: 36069648 PMCID: PMC9514011 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc04050f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The UV intensity during photopolymerization allows control over the structural color of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer photonic coating in a single step. Simultaneously, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer can be tuned by the applied UV intensity. Most likely the low intensity photopolymerization increases the inhibition time, leading to in situ formation of polymer fragments through oxygen inhibition. The formation of polymer fragments changes the matrix during the inhibition time, which results in a color change before the polymer network is formed. Additionally, these fragments inside the network act as a plasticizer, effectively lowering the Tg. This method can be combined with temperature responsive properties based on shape memory to fabricate photonic coatings with multiple, responsive colored patterns. The presented work allows for new functionalities in responsive photonic polymers as multiple colors and response temperatures can be incorporated in a single polymerization step. The UV intensity during photopolymerization allows control over the structural color of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer photonic coating in a single step.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yari Foelen
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nieké J M van Gils
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Mart D T Claessen
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Albertus P H J Schenning
- Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- SCNU-TUE Joint Laboratory of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), South China Normal University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, 510006, Guangzhou, China
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112
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Zhou Y, Wang L, Zhang H. Enhancing the performances of physically cross-linked photodeformable main-chain azobenzene poly(ester-amide)s via chemical structure engineering. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00492e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of physically cross-linked photodeformable main-chain azobenzene poly(ester-amide)s with enhanced performances via chemical structure engineering and obtention of their detailed structure–property relationship are first described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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113
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Tanjeem N, Minnis MB, Hayward RC, Shields CW. Shape-Changing Particles: From Materials Design and Mechanisms to Implementation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2105758. [PMID: 34741359 PMCID: PMC9579005 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202105758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Demands for next-generation soft and responsive materials have sparked recent interest in the development of shape-changing particles and particle assemblies. Over the last two decades, a variety of mechanisms that drive shape change have been explored and integrated into particulate systems. Through a combination of top-down fabrication and bottom-up synthesis techniques, shape-morphing capabilities extend from the microscale to the nanoscale. Consequently, shape-morphing particles are rapidly emerging in a variety of contexts, including photonics, microfluidics, microrobotics, and biomedicine. Herein, the key mechanisms and materials that facilitate shape changes of microscale and nanoscale particles are discussed. Recent progress in the applications made possible by these particles is summarized, and perspectives on their promise and key open challenges in the field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabila Tanjeem
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Montana B Minnis
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Ryan C Hayward
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
| | - Charles Wyatt Shields
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 3415 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80303, USA
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114
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Jiang J, Han L, Ge F, Xiao Y, Cheng R, Tong X, Zhao Y. Porous Liquid Crystalline Networks with Hydrogel-Like Actuation and Reconfigurable Function. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202116689. [PMID: 34970834 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202116689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A porous liquid crystalline network (LCN), prepared using a template method, was found to exhibit peculiar actuation functions. The creation of porosity makes the initially hydrophobic LCN behave like a hydrogel, capable of absorbing a large volume of water (up to ten times the sample size of LCN). When the amount of absorbed water is relatively small (about 100% swelling ratio), the porous LCN displays anisotropic swelling in water and, in the same time, the retained uniaxial alignment of mesogens ensures thermally induced shape change associated with LC-isotropic phase transition. Combining the characteristic actuation mechanisms of LCN (order-disorder transition of mesogens) and hydrogel (water absorption), such porous LCN can be explored for versatile stimuli-triggered shape transformations. Moreover, the porosity enables loading/removal/reloading of functional fillers such as ionic liquid, photothermal dye and fluorophore, which imparts a same porous LCN actuator with reconfigurable functions such as ionic conductivity, light-driven locomotion, and emissive color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke, Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Sherbrooke, CANADA
| | - Li Han
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke, Chemistry, CANADA
| | - Feijie Ge
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke, Chemistry, CANADA
| | - Yaoyu Xiao
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke, Chemistry, CANADA
| | - Ruidong Cheng
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke, Chemistry, CANADA
| | - Xia Tong
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke, Chemistry, CANADA
| | - Yue Zhao
- University of Sherbrooke, Department of Chemistry, Blvd. Universite, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, CANADA
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115
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Jiang J, Han L, Ge F, Xiao Y, Cheng R, Tong X, Zhao Y. Porous Liquid Crystalline Networks with Hydrogel‐Like Actuation and Reconfigurable Function. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202116689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke Chemistry Department of ChemistryUniversity of Sherbrooke J1K2R1 Sherbrooke CANADA
| | - Li Han
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke Chemistry CANADA
| | - Feijie Ge
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke Chemistry CANADA
| | - Yaoyu Xiao
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke Chemistry CANADA
| | - Ruidong Cheng
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke Chemistry CANADA
| | - Xia Tong
- Université de Sherbrooke: Universite de Sherbrooke Chemistry CANADA
| | - Yue Zhao
- University of Sherbrooke Department of Chemistry Blvd. Universite J1K 2R1 Sherbrooke CANADA
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116
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Zhang C, Lu X, Wang Z, Xia H. Progress in Utilizing Dynamic Bonds to Fabricate Structurally Adaptive Self-Healing, Shape Memory, and Liquid Crystal Polymers. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100768. [PMID: 34964192 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive structurally dynamic polymers are capable of mimicking the biological systems to adapt themselves to the surrounding environmental changes and subsequently exhibiting a wide range of responses ranging from self-healing to complex shape-morphing. Dynamic self-healing polymers (SHPs), shape-memory polymers (SMPs) and liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), which are three representative examples of stimuli-responsive structurally dynamic polymers, have been attracting broad and growing interest in recent years because of their potential applications in the fields of electronic skin, sensors, soft robots, artificial muscles, and so on. We review recent advances and challenges in the developments towards dynamic SHPs, SMPs and LCEs, focusing on the chemistry strategies and the dynamic reaction mechanisms that enhance the performances of the materials including self-healing, reprocessing and reprogramming. We compare and discuss the different dynamic chemistries and their mechanisms on the enhanced functions of the materials, where three summary tables are presented: a library of dynamic bonds and the resulting characteristics of the materials. Finally, we provide a critical outline of the unresolved issues and future perspectives on the emerging developments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xili Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Zhanhua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Hesheng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
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117
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Kusters GLA, Tito NB, Storm C, van der Schoot P. Controlling permeation in electrically deforming liquid crystal network films: A dynamical Landau theory. Phys Rev E 2021; 104:054701. [PMID: 34942727 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.104.054701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Liquid crystal networks exploit the coupling between the responsivity of liquid crystalline mesogens, e.g., to electric fields, and the (visco)elastic properties of a polymer network. Because of this, these materials have been put forward for a wide array of applications, including responsive surfaces such as artificial skins and membranes. For such applications, the desired functional response must generally be realized under strict geometrical constraints, such as provided by supported thin films. To model such settings, we present a dynamical, spatially heterogeneous Landau-type theory for electrically actuated liquid crystal network films. We find that the response of the liquid crystal network permeates the film from top to bottom, and illustrate how this affects the timescale associated with macroscopic deformation. Finally, by linking our model parameters to experimental quantities, we suggest that the permeation rate can be controlled by varying the aspect ratio of the mesogens and their degree of orientational order when crosslinked into the polymer network, for which we predict a single optimum. Our results contribute specifically to the rational design of future applications involving transport or on-demand release of molecular cargo in liquid crystal network films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido L A Kusters
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cornelis Storm
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
| | - Paul van der Schoot
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
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118
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Abstract
Smart soft materials are envisioned to be the building blocks of the next generation of advanced devices and digitally augmented technologies. In this context, liquid crystals (LCs) owing to their responsive and adaptive attributes could serve as promising smart soft materials. LCs played a critical role in revolutionizing the information display industry in the 20th century. However, in the turn of the 21st century, numerous beyond-display applications of LCs have been demonstrated, which elegantly exploit their controllable stimuli-responsive and adaptive characteristics. For these applications, new LC materials have been rationally designed and developed. In this Review, we present the recent developments in light driven chiral LCs, i.e., cholesteric and blue phases, LC based smart windows that control the entrance of heat and light from outdoor to the interior of buildings and built environments depending on the weather conditions, LC elastomers for bioinspired, biological, and actuator applications, LC based biosensors for detection of proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses, LC based porous membranes for the separation of ions, molecules, and microbes, living LCs, and LCs under macro- and nanoscopic confinement. The Review concludes with a summary and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for LCs as smart soft materials. This Review is anticipated to stimulate eclectic ideas toward the implementation of the nature's delicate phase of matter in future generations of smart and augmented devices and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States.,Institute of Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and Jiangsu Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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119
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Arisawa M, Yoshida M, Fukumoto K, Sawato T, Yamaguchi M, Matsubara M, Kanie K. Three‐state Structural Switching and Selective Molecular Interactions of Cylindrical Concentric Monodomain Liquid Crystal Elastomer. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202103490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mieko Arisawa
- Department of Organic Chemistry Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8578 Japan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenviromental Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka 819-0395 Japan
| | - Miyu Yoshida
- Department of Organic Chemistry Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Kohei Fukumoto
- Department of Organic Chemistry Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Tsukasa Sawato
- Department of Organic Chemistry Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Masahiko Yamaguchi
- Department of Organic Chemistry Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8578 Japan
| | - Masaki Matsubara
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8577 Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Kanie
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials Tohoku University, Aoba Sendai 980-8577 Japan
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120
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Rothemund P, Kim Y, Heisser RH, Zhao X, Shepherd RF, Keplinger C. Shaping the future of robotics through materials innovation. NATURE MATERIALS 2021; 20:1582-1587. [PMID: 34815572 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01158-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Rothemund
- Robotic Materials Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Yoonho Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ronald H Heisser
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Xuanhe Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert F Shepherd
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Christoph Keplinger
- Robotic Materials Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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121
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Li Y, Keum JK, Wang J, Jiang N, Bras W, Kessler MR, Rios O. Multiscale Structural Characterization of a Smectic Liquid Crystalline Elastomer upon Mechanical Deformation Using Neutron Scattering. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhan Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jong K. Keum
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences and Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Naisheng Jiang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wim Bras
- Chemical Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Michael R. Kessler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Orlando Rios
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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122
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Shen D, Yao Y, Zhuang Q, Lin S. Mainchain Alternating Azopolymers with Fast Photo-Induced Reversible Transition Behavior. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dingfeng Shen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Qixin Zhuang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shaoliang Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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123
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A Brief Review on Challenges in Design and Development of Nanorobots for Medical Applications. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112110385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Robotics is a rapidly growing field, and the innovative idea to scale down the size of robots to the nanometer level has paved a new way of treating human health. Nanorobots have become the focus of many researchers aiming to explore their many potential applications in medicine. This paper focuses on manufacturing techniques involved in the fabrication of nanorobots and their associated challenges in terms of design architecture, sensors, actuators, powering, navigation, data transmission, followed by challenges in applications. In addition, an overview of various nanorobotic systems addresses different architectures of a nanorobot. Moreover, multiple medical applications, such as oncology, drug delivery, and surgery, are reviewed and summarized.
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124
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Mansard V. A macroporous smart gel based on a pH-sensitive polyacrylic polymer for the development of large size artificial muscles with linear contraction. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:9644-9652. [PMID: 34622903 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01078f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The physics of soft matter can contribute to the revolution in robotics and medical prostheses. These two fields require the development of artificial muscles with behavior close to biological muscles. Today, artificial muscles rely mostly on active materials, which can deform reversibly. Nevertheless transport kinetics is the major limit for all of these materials. These actuators are only made of a thin layer of active material and using a large thickness dramatically reduces the actuation time. In this article, we demonstrate that a porous material reduces the limit of transport and enables the use of a large volume of active material. We synthesize a new active material: a macroporous gel, which is based on polyacrylic acid. This gel shows very large swelling when we increase the pH and the macroporosity dramatically reduces the swelling time of centimetric samples from one day to 100 s. We characterize the mechanical properties and swelling kinetics of this new material. This material is well adapted for soft robotics because of its large swelling ratio (300%) and its capacity to apply a pressure of 150 mbar during swelling. We demonstrate finally that this material can be used in a McKibben muscle producing linear contraction, which is particularly adapted for robotics. The muscle contracts by 9% of its initial length within 100 s, which corresponds to the gel swelling time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mansard
- CNRS, LAAS-CNRS, 7, avenue du Colonel Roche, BP 54200 31031, Toulouse Cedex 4, France.
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125
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Wang M, Song Y, Bisoyi HK, Yang J, Liu L, Yang H, Li Q. A Liquid Crystal Elastomer-Based Unprecedented Two-Way Shape-Memory Aerogel. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:e2102674. [PMID: 34569166 PMCID: PMC8596101 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202102674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
With the advantage of reversible shape-morphing between two different permanent shapes under external stimuli, the two-way shape-memory aerogel is expected to become a preferred aerogel for developing practical applications in actuators, sensors, robotics, and more. Herein, the first two-way shape-memory liquid crystal elastomer (LCE)-based aerogel is prepared by an orthogonal heat and light curing strategy coupled with an intermediate mechanical stretching step. The differential scanning calorimetry, temperature-varied wide-angle X-ray scattering, and polarizing optical microscope results indicate that the aerogel possesses a liquid crystal phase and the insider mesogens are well-oriented along the stretching direction. In addition to having superior compressibility and excellent shape stability, this LCE-based aerogel can perform a reversible shape deformation during the heating/cooling cycles with a shrinkage ratio of 37%. The work, that is disclosed here, realizes a truly two-way shape-memory behavior rather than the one-way shape deformation of traditional polymer aerogel materials, and may promote potential applications of this novel LCE-based aerogel material in control devices, soft actuators, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Institute of Advanced MaterialsSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineeringand Jiangsu Hi‐Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing211189China
| | - Ying Song
- Institute of Advanced MaterialsSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineeringand Jiangsu Hi‐Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing211189China
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary ProgramKent State UniversityKentOH44242USA
| | - Jian‐Feng Yang
- Institute of Advanced MaterialsSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineeringand Jiangsu Hi‐Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing211189China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Advanced MaterialsSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineeringand Jiangsu Hi‐Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing211189China
| | - Hong Yang
- Institute of Advanced MaterialsSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineeringand Jiangsu Hi‐Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing211189China
| | - Quan Li
- Institute of Advanced MaterialsSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineeringand Jiangsu Hi‐Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical ResearchSoutheast UniversityNanjing211189China
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary ProgramKent State UniversityKentOH44242USA
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126
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Wu J, Yao S, Zhang H, Man W, Bai Z, Zhang F, Wang X, Fang D, Zhang Y. Liquid Crystal Elastomer Metamaterials with Giant Biaxial Thermal Shrinkage for Enhancing Skin Regeneration. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2106175. [PMID: 34561930 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a class of soft active materials of increasing interest, because of their excellent actuation and optical performances. While LCEs show biomimetic mechanical properties (e.g., elastic modulus and strength) that can be matched with those of soft biological tissues, their biointegrated applications have been rarely explored, in part, due to their high actuation temperatures (typically above 60 °C) and low biaxial actuation performances (e.g., actuation strain typically below 10%). Here, unique mechanics-guided designs and fabrication schemes of LCE metamaterials are developed that allow access to unprecedented biaxial actuation strain (-53%) and biaxial coefficient of thermal expansion (-33 125 ppm K-1 ), significantly surpassing those (e.g., -20% and -5950 ppm K-1 ) reported previously. A low-temperature synthesis method with use of optimized composition ratios enables LCE metamaterials to offer reasonably high actuation stresses/strains at a substantially reduced actuation temperature (46 °C). Such biocompatible LCE metamaterials are integrated with medical dressing to develop a breathable, shrinkable, hemostatic patch as a means of noninvasive treatment. In vivo animal experiments of skin repair with both round and cross-shaped wounds demonstrate advantages of the hemostatic patch over conventional strategies (e.g., medical dressing and suturing) in accelerating skin regeneration, while avoiding scar and keloid generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wu
- AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Center for Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Shenglian Yao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Hang Zhang
- AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Center for Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Weitao Man
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102218, P. R. China
| | - Zhili Bai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Fan Zhang
- AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Center for Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xiumei Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
| | - Daining Fang
- Institute of Advanced Structure Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Lightweight Multi-Functional Composite Materials and Structures, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, P. R. China
| | - Yihui Zhang
- AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Center for Flexible Electronics Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, P. R. China
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127
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Martella D, Nocentini S, Parmeggiani C, Wiersma DS. Photonic artificial muscles: from micro robots to tissue engineering. Faraday Discuss 2021; 223:216-232. [PMID: 32716468 DOI: 10.1039/d0fd00032a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Light responsive shape-changing polymers are able to mimic the function of biological muscles accomplishing mechanical work in response to selected stimuli. A variety of manufacturing techniques and chemical processes can be employed to shape these materials to different length scales, from centimeter fibers and films to 3D printed micrometric objects trying to replicate biological functions and operations. Controlled deformations shown to mimick basic animal operations such as walking, swimming or grabbing objects, while also controlling the refractive index and the geometry of devices, opens up the potential to implement tunable optical properties. Another possibility is that of combining artificial polymers with cells or biological tissue (such as intact cardiac trabeculae) with the aim to improve tissue formation in vitro or to support the mechanical function of damaged biological muscles. Such versatility is afforded by chemistry. New customized liquid crystalline monomers are presented here that modulate material properties for different applications. The role of synthetic material composition is highlighted as we demonstrate how using apparently similar molecular formulations, that liquid crystalline polymers can be adapted to different technological and medical challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Martella
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Sara Nocentini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica INRiM, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Camilla Parmeggiani
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica INRiM, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy and Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Diederik S Wiersma
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy. and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica INRiM, Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Turin, Italy
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128
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Li S, Librandi G, Yao Y, Richard AJ, Schneider-Yamamura A, Aizenberg J, Bertoldi K. Controlling Liquid Crystal Orientations for Programmable Anisotropic Transformations in Cellular Microstructures. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2105024. [PMID: 34473379 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202105024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Geometric reconfigurations in cellular structures have recently been exploited to realize adaptive materials with applications in mechanics, optics, and electronics. However, the achievable symmetry breakings and corresponding types of deformation and related functionalities have remained rather limited, mostly due to the fact that the macroscopic geometry of the structures is generally co-aligned with the molecular anisotropy of the constituent material. To address this limitation, cellular microstructures are fabricated out of liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) with an arbitrary, user-defined liquid crystal (LC) mesogen orientation encrypted by a weak magnetic field. This platform enables anisotropy to be programmed independently at the molecular and structural levels and the realization of unprecedented director-determined symmetry breakings in cellular materials, which are demonstrated by both finite element analyses and experiments. It is illustrated that the resulting mechanical reconfigurations can be harnessed to program microcellular materials with switchable and direction-dependent frictional properties and further exploit "area-specific" deformation patterns to locally modulate transmitted light and precisely guide object movement. As such, the work provides a clear route to decouple anisotropy at the materials level from the directionality of the macroscopic cellular structure, which may lead to a new generation of smart and adaptive materials and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucong Li
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Gabriele Librandi
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Austin J Richard
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Alyssha Schneider-Yamamura
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Joanna Aizenberg
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Katia Bertoldi
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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129
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Ohzono T, Minamikawa H, Koyama E, Norikane Y. Impact of Crystallites in Nematic Elastomers on Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Adhesion. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Ohzono
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Minamikawa
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Catalytic Chemistry, AIST, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
| | - Emiko Koyama
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
| | - Yasuo Norikane
- Research Institute for Advanced Electronics and Photonics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
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130
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Cell instructive Liquid Crystalline Networks for myotube formation. iScience 2021; 24:103077. [PMID: 34568797 PMCID: PMC8449234 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of biological tissues in vitro is not a trivial task and requires the correct maturation of the selected cell line. To this aim, many attempts were done mainly by mimicking the biological environment using micro/nanopatterned or stimulated scaffolds. However, the obtainment of functional tissues in vitro is still far from being achieved. In contrast with the standard methods, we here present an easy approach for the maturation of myotubes toward the reproduction of muscular tissue. By using liquid crystalline networks with different stiffness and molecular alignment, we demonstrate how the material itself can give favorable interactions with myoblasts helping a correct differentiation. Electrophysiological studies demonstrate that myotubes obtained on these polymers have more adult-like morphology and better functional features with respect to those cultured on standard supports. The study opens to a platform for the differentiation of other cell lines in a simple and scalable way.
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131
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Schara S, Blau R, Church DC, Pokorski JK, Lipomi DJ. Polymer Chemistry for Haptics, Soft Robotics, and Human-Machine Interfaces. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2008375. [PMID: 34924911 PMCID: PMC8673772 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202008375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Progress in the field of soft devices-i.e., haptics, robotics, and human-machine interfaces (HRHMIs)-has its basis in the science of polymeric materials and chemical synthesis. However, in examining the relevant literature, we find that most developments have been enabled by off-the-shelf materials used either alone or as components of physical blends and composites. In this Progress Report, we take the position that a greater awareness of the capabilities of synthetic chemistry will accelerate the capabilities of HRHMIs. Conversely, an awareness of the applications sought by engineers working in this area may spark the development of new molecular designs and synthetic methodologies by chemists. We highlight several applications of active, stimuli-responsive polymers, which have demonstrated or shown potential use in HRHMIs. These materials share the fact that they are products of state-of-the-art synthetic techniques. The Progress Report is thus organized by the chemistry by which the materials were synthesized, including controlled radical polymerization, metal-mediated cross-coupling polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, various strategies for crosslinking, and hybrid approaches. These methods can afford polymers with multiple properties (i.e. conductivity, stimuli-responsiveness, self-healing and degradable abilities, biocompatibility, adhesiveness, and mechanical robustness) that are of great interest to scientists and engineers concerned with soft devices for human interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Schara
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, CA 92093-0448
| | - Rachel Blau
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, CA 92093-0448
| | - Derek C. Church
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, CA 92093-0448
| | - Jonathan K. Pokorski
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, CA 92093-0448
| | - Darren J. Lipomi
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0448, La Jolla, CA 92093-0448
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132
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Huang CY, Lin SH. Organic Solvent Sensors Using Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films with a Pillar Pattern. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13172906. [PMID: 34502946 PMCID: PMC8434618 DOI: 10.3390/polym13172906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An organic solvent sensor of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) film is fabricated by a combination of tri-functional monomers and LCs. When the patterned PDLC film comes into contact with the organic solvent, the organic solvent will penetrate into the film to induce the orientation of the liquid crystals, which will change from an ordered to a disordered state, which causes the PDLC film to scatter incident light. The experiment used acetone and ethanol as the organic solvents of interest. The results show that the patterned PDLC film has a stronger response to acetone than to ethanol. Based on the difference in the intensity of light scattering and the response time of the patterned PDLC film to different organic solvents, the results can be used to identify and recognize different types of organic solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yi Huang
- Department of Applied Physics, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan;
| | - Shih-Hung Lin
- Department of Optometry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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133
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Han WC, Sim GW, Kim YB, Kim DS. Reversible Curvature Reversal of Monolithic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Film and Its Smart Valve Application. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100404. [PMID: 34418205 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Beyond a traditional stimuli-responsive soft actuator that shows a single motion by a stimulus, multidirectional actuation reversal with a single stimulus is highly required in applications such as shape morphing sensors and soft robotics. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are one of the most attractive candidates for the soft actuator due to their capability of stimuli-responsive shape changing in 3D, which is programmable with local orientation of LC mesogens. Here, a simple but effective method to fabricate monolithic LCE actuators that are capable of reversible curvature reversal in bending and twisting deformation by a single stimulus-heat-is reported. The curvature reversal of the LCE film can be programmed by means of asymmetric crosslinking density along the thickness and the orientation of the LC mesogens. The curvature reversal of the monolithic LCE film exhibits highly reversible (more than 100 times) and fast actuation (≈3-5 s) by heating and cooling, allowing new concept of a practical application using LCE material: a self-regulated smart valve that is capable of qualitatively sorting liquids by temperature. It is believed that this system is potentially applied to a self-regulated sorting platform for various endothermic and exothermic chemical or biological reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woong Chan Han
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Gun Woo Sim
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Young Been Kim
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Dae Seok Kim
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, South Korea
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134
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Zentel R. LC‐Polymers and Smectic Phases with Special Substructures/Nanophase Segregation. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Zentel
- Department of Chemistry Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Duesbergweg 10–14 D‐55128 Mainz Germany
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135
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Molecular architecture dependence of mesogen rotation during uniaxial elongation of liquid crystal elastomers. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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136
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Wang M, Chu D, Liu L, Huang S, Chen XM, Liu ZY, Yang H. Intelligent Surfaces Thermally Switchable between the Highly Rough and Entirely Smooth States. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2617-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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137
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Zhang H. Reprocessable Photodeformable Azobenzene Polymers. Molecules 2021; 26:4455. [PMID: 34361608 PMCID: PMC8347682 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Photodeformable azobenzene (azo) polymers are a class of smart polymers that can efficiently convert light energy into mechanical power, holding great promise in various photoactuating applications. They are typically of crosslinked polymer networks with highly oriented azo mesogens embedded inside. Upon exposure to the light of appropriate wavelength, they experience dramatic order parameter change following the configuration change of the azo units. This could result in the generation and accumulation of the gradient microscopic photomechanical force in the crosslinked polymer networks, thus leading to their macroscopic deformation. So far, a great number of photodeformable azo polymers have been developed, including some unoriented ones showing photodeformation based on different mechanisms. Among them, photodeformable azo polymers with dynamic crosslinking networks (and some uncrosslinked ones) have aroused particular interest recently because of their obvious advantages over those with stable chemical crosslinking structures such as high recyclability and reprocessability. In this paper, I provide a detailed overview of the recent progress in such reprocessable photodeformable polymers. In addition, some challenges and perspectives are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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138
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Lee C, Osuji CO. 100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Opportunities for Liquid Crystal Polymers in Nanopatterning and Beyond. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:945-957. [PMID: 35549196 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) integrate at a molecular level the characteristics of two important material classes, i.e., liquid crystals (LCs) and polymers. As a result, they exhibit a wide variety of intriguing physical phenomena and have useful properties in various settings. In the nearly 50 years since the discovery of the first melt-processable LCPs, there has been a remarkable expansion in the field encompassing the development of new chain architectures, the incorporation of new classes of mesogens, and the exploration of new properties and applications. As engineering materials, LCPs are historically best known in the context of high strength fibers. In a more contemporary study, the pairing of LC mesophase assembly with block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly in LC BCPs has resulted in a fascinating interplay of ordering phenomena and rich phase behavior, while lightly cross-linked networks, LC elastomers, are extensively investigated as shape memory materials based on their thermomechanical actuation. As this Viewpoint describes, these and other examples are active areas of research in which new, compelling opportunities for LCPs are emerging. We highlight a few selected areas that we view as being potentially significant in the near future, with a particular emphasis on nanopatterning. Here, the ability to readily access small feature sizes, the fluidity of the LC mesophase, and LC-based handles for achieving orientation control present a compelling combination. Opportunities for LCPs are also presented under the broad rubric of "beyond nanopatterning", and we discuss relevant challenges and potential new directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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139
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Zou W, Lin X, Terentjev EM. Amine-Acrylate Liquid Single Crystal Elastomers Reinforced by Hydrogen Bonding. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2101955. [PMID: 34145651 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) have been considered one of the most promising material concepts for artificial muscles. However, accomplishing actuation of LCEs requires macroscopic alignment of the liquid-crystalline orientation in the rubbery network, which imposes challenges in the materials chemistry and processing. A two-stage curing strategy has been the dominating approach during last three decades. Despite its many successes, the method is difficult in practice and requires delicate experiential skills, dealing with intrinsic fragility of intermediate gels after the first crosslinking stage. Here, a robust fabrication method for monodomain LCE based on the amine-acrylate aza-Michael addition is developed, involving two readily commercially available components with no catalyst. The method is based on the large kinetic difference of hydrogen addition in primary amines to acrylates, which offers a sufficient gap separating two stages of curing and enabling versatile mechanical alignment techniques for manufacturing monodomain LCE in both liquid and gel states. Importantly, the mechanically robust network, helping processability at a partial-crosslinking stage, is facilitated by the chemically generated hydrogen bonding all through the process, as a by-product of hydrogen addition. Such a facile two-component kit-like fabrication should aid researchers from various fields in the search for a practical and reliable process of making soft actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weike Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China
- Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Xueyan Lin
- Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
| | - Eugene M Terentjev
- Cavendish Laboratory University of Cambridge, J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK
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140
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Kotikian A, Morales JM, Lu A, Mueller J, Davidson ZS, Boley JW, Lewis JA. Innervated, Self-Sensing Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators with Closed Loop Control. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2101814. [PMID: 34057260 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The programmable assembly of innervated LCE actuators (iLCEs) with prescribed contractile actuation, self-sensing, and closed loop control via core-shell 3D printing is reported. This extrusion-based direct ink writing method enables coaxial filamentary features composed of pure LM core surrounded by an LCE shell, whose director is aligned along the print path. Specifically, the thermal response of the iLCE fiber-type actuators is programmed, measured, and modeled during Joule heating, including quantifying the concomitant changes in fiber length and resistance that arise during simultaneous heating and self-sensing. Due to their reversible, high-energy actuation and their resistive feedback, it is also demonstrated that iLCEs can be regulated with closed loop control even when perturbed with large bias loads. Finally, iLCE architectures capable of programmed, self-sensing 3D shape change with closed loop control are fabricated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arda Kotikian
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Javier M Morales
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Aric Lu
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Biological Engineering Division, Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jochen Mueller
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Zoey S Davidson
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - J William Boley
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jennifer A Lewis
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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141
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Li S, Bai H, Liu Z, Zhang X, Huang C, Wiesner LW, Silberstein M, Shepherd RF. Digital light processing of liquid crystal elastomers for self-sensing artificial muscles. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/30/eabg3677. [PMID: 34301600 PMCID: PMC8302124 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg3677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Artificial muscles based on stimuli-responsive polymers usually exhibit mechanical compliance, versatility, and high power-to-weight ratio, showing great promise to potentially replace conventional rigid motors for next-generation soft robots, wearable electronics, and biomedical devices. In particular, thermomechanical liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) constitute artificial muscle-like actuators that can be remotely triggered for large stroke, fast response, and highly repeatable actuations. Here, we introduce a digital light processing (DLP)-based additive manufacturing approach that automatically shear aligns mesogenic oligomers, layer-by-layer, to achieve high orientational order in the photocrosslinked structures; this ordering yields high specific work capacity (63 J kg-1) and energy density (0.18 MJ m-3). We demonstrate actuators composed of these DLP printed LCEs' applications in soft robotics, such as reversible grasping, untethered crawling, and weightlifting. Furthermore, we present an LCE self-sensing system that exploits thermally induced optical transition as an intrinsic option toward feedback control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Hedan Bai
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Zheng Liu
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Chuqi Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lennard W Wiesner
- Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Meredith Silberstein
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Robert F Shepherd
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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142
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Xu Y, Dupont RL, Yao Y, Zhang M, Fang JC, Wang X. Random Liquid Crystalline Copolymers Consisting of Prolate and Oblate Liquid Crystal Monomers. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Xu
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Robert L. Dupont
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Meng Zhang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jen-Chun Fang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
- Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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143
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Cho EH, Luu K, Park SY. Mechano-Actuated Light-Responsive Main-Chain Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eun-hye Cho
- School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Polymeric Nanomaterials Laboratory, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Khuong Luu
- School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Polymeric Nanomaterials Laboratory, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-young Park
- School of Applied Chemical Engineering, Polymeric Nanomaterials Laboratory, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
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144
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Yin L, Miao TF, Cheng XX, Jiang ZC, Tong X, Zhang W, Zhao Y. Chiral Liquid Crystalline Elastomer for Twisting Motion without Preset Alignment of Mesogens. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:690-696. [PMID: 35549093 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A chiral liquid crystalline elastomer (CLCE) actuator is demonstrated. The solution-cast polydomain film of CLCE can twist upon order-disorder phase transition without any preset alignment of mesogens. The handedness of twisting is specific to the molecular chirality of the chiral dopant in the CLCE structure, while the degree of twisting, in terms of helical pitch and diameter, is sensitive to the aspect ratio and the thickness of the CLCE strip as well as the chiral dopant content. This phenomenon appears to stem from the local twisting forces and deformations of randomly oriented helical domains, which cannot cancel each other out due to the chirality and thus result in a macroscopic "chiral" force acting on the CLCE actuator. This finding reveals a materials design for preparing twisting LCE actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yin
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Design and Precision Synthesis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Teng-Fei Miao
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Design and Precision Synthesis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Cheng
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Design and Precision Synthesis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Jiang
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Xia Tong
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Suzhou Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Design and Precision Synthesis, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Design and Application, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
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145
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Hoekstra DC, Debije MG, Schenning APHJ. Triple-Shape-Memory Soft Actuators from an Interpenetrating Network of Hybrid Liquid Crystals. Macromolecules 2021; 54:5410-5416. [PMID: 34176962 PMCID: PMC8223483 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the formation of triple-shape-memory liquid crystalline-interpenetrating polymer network (LC-IPN) actuators based on a hybrid acrylate-oxetane LC mixture is reported. Orthogonal polymerization of the oxetane and acrylate liquid crystals creates polymer films with two distinct glass-transition temperatures. The use of these two transitions for one-way triple-shape-memory actuation and two-way bending actuation with a broad temperature window for actuation is demonstrated. Our results combine shape memory polymers with liquid crystal-based soft actuators having advanced stimuli-responsive properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davey C Hoekstra
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Michael G Debije
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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146
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Sun D, Zhang J, Li H, Shi Z, Meng Q, Liu S, Chen J, Liu X. Toward Application of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer for Smart Robotics: State of the Art and Challenges. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:1889. [PMID: 34204168 PMCID: PMC8201031 DOI: 10.3390/polym13111889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are lightly crosslinked polymers that combine liquid crystalline order and rubber elasticity. Owing to their unique anisotropic behavior and reversible shape responses to external stimulation (temperature, light, etc.), LCEs have emerged as preferred candidates for actuators, artificial muscles, sensors, smart robots, or other intelligent devices. Herein, we discuss the basic action, control mechanisms, phase transitions, and the structure-property correlation of LCEs; this review provides a comprehensive overview of LCEs for applications in actuators and other smart devices. Furthermore, the synthesis and processing of liquid crystal elastomer are briefly discussed, and the current challenges and future opportunities are prospected. With all recent progress pertaining to material design, sophisticated manipulation, and advanced applications presented, a vision for the application of LCEs in the next generation smart robots or automatic action systems is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Juzhong Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Hongpeng Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China;
| | - Zhengya Shi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Qi Meng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Shuiren Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Jinzhou Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
| | - Xuying Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Mold of Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (D.S.); (Z.S.); (Q.M.); (J.C.); (X.L.)
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147
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Kim K, Guo Y, Bae J, Choi S, Song HY, Park S, Hyun K, Ahn SK. 4D Printing of Hygroscopic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2100910. [PMID: 33938152 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202100910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are broadly recognized as programmable actuating materials that are responsive to external stimuli, typically heat or light. Yet, soft LCEs that respond to changes in environmental humidity are not reported, except a few examples based on rigid liquid crystal networks with limited processing. Herein, a new class of highly deformable hygroscopic LCE actuators that can be prepared by versatile processing methods, including surface alignment as well as 3D printing is presented. The dimethylamino-functionalized LCE is prepared by the aza-Michael addition reaction between a reactive LC monomer and N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine as a chain extender, followed by photopolymerization. The humidity-responsive properties are introduced by activating one of the LCE surfaces with an acidic solution, which generates cations on the surface and provides asymmetric hydrophilicity to the LCE. The resulting humidity-responsive LCE undergoes programmed and reversible hygroscopic actuation, and its shape transformation can be directed by the cut angle with respect to a nematic director or by localizing activation regions in the LCE. Most importantly, various hygroscopic LCE actuators, including (porous) bilayers, a flower, a concentric square array, and a soft gripper, are successfully fabricated by using LC inks in UV-assisted direct-ink-writing-based 3D printing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keumbee Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuanhang Guo
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehee Bae
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Subi Choi
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Yong Song
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmin Park
- Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Hyun
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Kyun Ahn
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, 46241, Republic of Korea
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148
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Decroly G, Raffoul R, Deslypere C, Leroy P, Van Hove L, Delchambre A, Lambert P. Optimization of Phase-Change Material-Elastomer Composite and Integration in Kirigami-Inspired Voxel-Based Actuators. Front Robot AI 2021; 8:672934. [PMID: 34041277 PMCID: PMC8141652 DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2021.672934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Phase-change material–elastomer composite (PCMEC) actuators are composed of a soft elastomer matrix embedding a phase-change fluid, typically ethanol, in microbubbles. When increasing the temperature, the phase change in each bubble induces a macroscopic expansion of the matrix. This class of actuators is promising for soft robotic applications because of their high energy density and actuation strain, and their low cost and easy manufacturing. However, several limitations must be addressed, such as the high actuation temperature and slow actuation speed. Moreover, the lack of a consistent design approach limits the possibility to build PCMEC-based soft robots able to achieve complex tasks. In this work, a new approach to manufacture PCMEC actuators with different fluid–elastomer combinations without altering the quality of the samples is proposed. The influence of the phase-change fluid and the elastomer on free elongation and bending is investigated. We demonstrate that choosing an appropriate fluid increases the actuation strain and speed, and decreases the actuation temperature compared with ethanol, allowing PCMECs to be used in close contact with the human body. Similarly, by using different elastomer materials, the actuator stiffness can be modified, and the experimental results showed that the curvature is roughly proportional to the inverse of Young’s modulus of the pure matrix. To demonstrate the potential of the optimized PCMECs, a kirigami-inspired voxel-based design approach is proposed. PCMEC cubes are molded and reinforced externally by paper. Cuts in the paper induce anisotropy into the structure. Elementary voxels deforming according to the basic kinematics (bending, torsion, elongation, compression and shear) are presented. The combination of these voxels into modular and reconfigurable structures could open new possibilities towards the design of flexible robots able to perform complex tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Decroly
- TIPs Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,BEAMS Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romain Raffoul
- TIPs Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,BEAMS Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Clara Deslypere
- TIPs Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,BEAMS Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paul Leroy
- TIPs Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,BEAMS Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Louis Van Hove
- TIPs Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,BEAMS Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Pierre Lambert
- TIPs Dpt, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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149
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Menzel AM. Stimuli-responsive twist actuators made from soft elastic composite materials-linking mesoscopic and macroscopic descriptions. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:204902. [PMID: 34241179 DOI: 10.1063/5.0043911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Very recently, the construction of twist actuators from magnetorheological gels and elastomers has been suggested. These materials consist of magnetizable colloidal particles embedded in a soft elastic polymeric environment. The twist actuation is enabled by a net chirality of the internal particle arrangement. Upon magnetization by a homogeneous external magnetic field, the systems feature an overall torsional deformation around the magnetization direction. Starting from a discrete minimal mesoscopic model setup, we work toward a macroscopic characterization. The two scales are linked by identifying expressions for the macroscopic system parameters as functions of the mesoscopic model parameters. In this way, the observed behavior of a macroscopic system can, in principle, be mapped to and illustratively be understood from an appropriate mesoscopic picture. Our results apply equally well to corresponding soft electrorheological gels and elastomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M Menzel
- Institut für Physik, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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150
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Cervera-Procas R, Serrano JL, Omenat A. A Highly Versatile Polymer Network Based on Liquid Crystalline Dendrimers. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115740. [PMID: 34072169 PMCID: PMC8198346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly functional macromolecules with a well-defined architecture are the key to designing efficient and smart materials, and these polymeric systems can be tailored for specific applications in a diverse range of fields. Herein, the formation of a new liquid crystalline polymeric network based on the crosslinking of dendrimeric entities by the CuI-catalyzed variant of the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and alkynes to afford 1,2,3-triazoles is reported. The polymeric material obtained in this way is easy to process and exhibits a variety of properties, which include mesomorphism, viscoelastic behavior, and thermal contraction. The porous microstructure of the polymer network determines its capability to absorb solvent molecules and to encapsulate small molecules, like organic dyes, which can be released easily afterwards. Moreover, all these properties may be easily tuned by modifying the chemical structure of the constituent dendrimers, which makes this system a very interesting one for a number of applications.
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