Photoluminescent Nematic Liquid Crystalline Elastomer with a Thermomechanical Emission Variation Function

Self-Assembled α-Cyanostilbenes for Advanced Functional Materials

In the specific context of condensed media, the significant and increasing recent interest in the α-cyanostilbene (CS) motif [ArCHC(CN)Ar] is relevant. These compounds have shown remarkable optical features in addition to interesting electrical properties, and hence they are recognized as very suitable and versatile options for the development of functional materials. This progress report is focused on current and future use of CS structures and molecular assemblies with the aim of exploring and developing for the next generations of functional materials. A critical selection of illustrative materials that contain the CS motif, including relevant subfamilies such as the dicyanodistyrylbenzene and 2,3,3-triphenylacrylonitrile shows how, driven by the self-assembly of CS blocks, a variety of properties, effects, and possibilities for practical applications can be offered to the scientific community, through different rational routes for the elaboration of advanced materials. A survey is provided on the research efforts directed toward promoting the self-assembly of the solid state (polycrystalline solids, thin films, and single crystals), liquid crystals, nanostructures, and gels with multistimuli responsiveness, and applications for sensors, organic light-emitting diodes, organic field effect transistors, organic lasers, solar cells, or bioimaging purposes.

Soft Actuators for Small-Scale Robotics

This review comprises a detailed survey of ongoing methodologies for soft actuators, highlighting approaches suitable for nanometer- to centimeter-scale robotic applications. Soft robots present a special design challenge in that their actuation and sensing mechanisms are often highly integrated with the robot body and overall functionality. When less than a centimeter, they belong to an even more special subcategory of robots or devices, in that they often lack on-board power, sensing, computation, and control. Soft, active materials are particularly well suited for this task, with a wide range of stimulants and a number of impressive examples, demonstrating large deformations, high motion complexities, and varied multifunctionality. Recent research includes both the development of new materials and composites, as well as novel implementations leveraging the unique properties of soft materials.

Exploring optical mechanotransduction in fluorescent liquid crystal elastomers

Carbazole-based liquid single elastomers: optical mechanotransduction under ambient conditions.

Bent-core liquid crystalline cyanostilbenes: fluorescence switching and thermochromism

Incorporation of the cyanostilbene unit in a bent-core liquid crystal-type structure gives rise to fluorescent systems whose emission is very sensitive to different environments.