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Long G, Deng Y, Zhao W, Zhou G, Broer DJ, Feringa BL, Chen J. Photoresponsive Biomimetic Functions by Light-Driven Molecular Motors in Three Dimensionally Printed Liquid Crystal Elastomers. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:13894-13902. [PMID: 38728606 PMCID: PMC11117400 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Despite the fascinating developments in design and synthesis of artificial molecular machines operating at the nanoscales, translating molecular motion along multiple length scales and inducing mechanical motion of a three-dimensional macroscopic entity remains an important challenge. The key to addressing this amplification of motion relies on the effective organization of molecular machines in a well-defined environment. By taking advantage of long-range orientational order and hierarchical structures of liquid crystals and unidirectional rotation of light-driven molecular motors, we report here photoresponsive biomimetic functions of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) by the repetitive unidirectional rotation of molecular motors using 3D printing. Molecular motors were built in the main chain of liquid crystals oligomers to serve as photoactuators. The oligomers were then used as the ink, and liquid crystal elastomers with different morphologies were printed. The obtained LCEs are able to conduct multiple types of motions including bending, helical coiling, closing of petals, and flipping of wings of a butterfly upon UV illumination, which paves the way for future design of responsive materials with enhanced complex actuating functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiying Long
- SCNU-UG
International Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science and Displays,
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Yanping Deng
- SCNU-UG
International Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science and Displays,
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- SCNU-TUE
Joint lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), Guangdong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology
& Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy
of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China
Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guofu Zhou
- SCNU-UG
International Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science and Displays,
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- SCNU-TUE
Joint lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), Guangdong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology
& Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy
of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China
Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dirk J. Broer
- SCNU-TUE
Joint lab of Device Integrated Responsive Materials (DIRM), Guangdong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology
& Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy
of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China
Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Stimuli-responsive
Functional Materials and Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering
and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Ben L. Feringa
- SCNU-UG
International Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science and Displays,
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Stratingh
Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, Groningen 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Jiawen Chen
- SCNU-UG
International Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science and Displays,
National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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2
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Yang Z, Wang Y, Lan L, Wang Y, Zhang X. Bioinspired H-Bonding Connected Gradient Nanostructure Actuators Based on Cellulose Nanofibrils and Graphene. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2401580. [PMID: 38708893 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The construction of flexible actuators with ultra-fast actuation and robust mechanical properties is crucial for soft robotics and smart devices, but still remains a challenge. Inspired by the unique mechanism of pinecones dispersing seeds in nature, a hygroscopic actuator with interlayer network-bonding connected gradient structure is fabricated. Unlike most conventional bilayer actuator designs, the strategy leverages biobased polyphenols to construct strong interfacial H-bonding networks between 1D cellulose nanofibers and 2D graphene oxide, endowing the materials with high tensile strength (172 MPa) and excellent toughness (6.64 MJ m-3). Furthermore, the significant difference in hydrophilicity between GO and rGO, along with the dense interlayer H-bonding, enables ultra-fast water exchange during water absorption and desorption processes. The resulted actuator exhibits ultra-fast driving speed (154° s-1), excellent pressure-resistant and cyclic stability. Taking advantages of these benefits, the actuator can be fabricated into smart devices (such as smart grippers, humidity control switches) with significant potential for practical applications. The presented approach to constructing interlayer H-bonding in gradient structures is instructive for achieving high performance and functionalization of biomass nanomaterials and the complex of 1D/2D nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangqin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yuting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Lidan Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yuyan Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Xinxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
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3
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Yao DR, Kim I, Yin S, Gao W. Multimodal Soft Robotic Actuation and Locomotion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308829. [PMID: 38305065 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Diverse and adaptable modes of complex motion observed at different scales in living creatures are challenging to reproduce in robotic systems. Achieving dexterous movement in conventional robots can be difficult due to the many limitations of applying rigid materials. Robots based on soft materials are inherently deformable, compliant, adaptable, and adjustable, making soft robotics conducive to creating machines with complicated actuation and motion gaits. This review examines the mechanisms and modalities of actuation deformation in materials that respond to various stimuli. Then, strategies based on composite materials are considered to build toward actuators that combine multiple actuation modes for sophisticated movements. Examples across literature illustrate the development of soft actuators as free-moving, entirely soft-bodied robots with multiple locomotion gaits via careful manipulation of external stimuli. The review further highlights how the application of soft functional materials into robots with rigid components further enhances their locomotive abilities. Finally, taking advantage of the shape-morphing properties of soft materials, reconfigurable soft robots have shown the capacity for adaptive gaits that enable transition across environments with different locomotive modes for optimal efficiency. Overall, soft materials enable varied multimodal motion in actuators and robots, positioning soft robotics to make real-world applications for intricate and challenging tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dickson R Yao
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Inho Kim
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Shukun Yin
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
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4
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Kim YB, Yang S, Kim DS. Sidewinder-Inspired Self-Adjusting, Lateral-Rolling Soft Robots for Autonomous Terrain Exploration. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308350. [PMID: 38286667 PMCID: PMC11005722 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Helical structures of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) hold promise in soft robotics for self-regulated rolling motions. The understanding of their motion paths and potentials for terrain exploration remains limited. This study introduces a self-adjusting, lateral-rolling soft robot inspired by sidewinder snakes. The spring-like LCE helical filaments (HFs) autonomously respond to thermal cues, demonstrating dynamic and sustainable locomotion with adaptive rolling along non-linear paths. By fine-tuning the diameter, pitch, and modulus of the LCE HFs, and the environmental temperature, the movements of the LCE HFs, allowing for exploration of diverse terrains over a 600 cm2 area within a few minutes, can be programmed. LCE HFs are showcased to navigate through over nine obstacles, including maze escaping, terrain exploration, target hunting, and successfully surmounting staircases through adaptable rolling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Been Kim
- Department of Polymer EngineeringPukyong National University45 Yongso‐ro, Nam‐guBusan48513South Korea
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Pennsylvania3231 Walnut StreetPhiladelphiaPA19104USA
| | - Dae Seok Kim
- Department of Polymer EngineeringPukyong National University45 Yongso‐ro, Nam‐guBusan48513South Korea
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5
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Wan X, Xiao Z, Tian Y, Chen M, Liu F, Wang D, Liu Y, Bartolo PJDS, Yan C, Shi Y, Zhao RR, Qi HJ, Zhou K. Recent Advances in 4D Printing of Advanced Materials and Structures for Functional Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2312263. [PMID: 38439193 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
4D printing has attracted tremendous worldwide attention during the past decade. This technology enables the shape, property, or functionality of printed structures to change with time in response to diverse external stimuli, making the original static structures alive. The revolutionary 4D-printing technology offers remarkable benefits in controlling geometric and functional reconfiguration, thereby showcasing immense potential across diverse fields, including biomedical engineering, electronics, robotics, and photonics. Here, a comprehensive review of the latest achievements in 4D printing using various types of materials and different additive manufacturing techniques is presented. The state-of-the-art strategies implemented in harnessing various 4D-printed structures are highlighted, which involve materials design, stimuli, functionalities, and applications. The machine learning approach explored for 4D printing is also discussed. Finally, the perspectives on the current challenges and future trends toward further development in 4D printing are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wan
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Zhongmin Xiao
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Yujia Tian
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Mei Chen
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Paulo Jorge Da Silva Bartolo
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Chunze Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yusheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Ruike Renee Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Hang Jerry Qi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Kun Zhou
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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Pinchin NP, Guo H, Meteling H, Deng Z, Priimagi A, Shahsavan H. Liquid Crystal Networks Meet Water: It's Complicated! ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2303740. [PMID: 37392137 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202303740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Soft robots are composed of compliant materials that facilitate high degrees of freedom, shape-change adaptability, and safer interaction with humans. An attractive choice of material for soft robotics is crosslinked networks of liquid crystal polymers (LCNs), as they are responsive to a wide variety of external stimuli and capable of undergoing fast, programmable, complex shape morphing, which allows for their use in a wide range of soft robotic applications. However, unlike hydrogels, another popular material in soft robotics, LCNs have limited applicability in flooded or aquatic environments. This can be attributed not only to the poor efficiency of common LCN actuation methods underwater but also to the complicated relationship between LCNs and water. In this review, the relationship between water and LCNs is elaborated and the existing body of literature is surveyed where LCNs, both hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic, are utilized in aquatic soft robotic applications. Then the challenges LCNs face in widespread adaptation to aquatic soft robotic applications are discussed and, finally, possible paths forward for their successful use in aquatic environments are envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie P Pinchin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hongshuang Guo
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Henning Meteling
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Zixuan Deng
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, FI-33101, Finland
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
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Leanza S, Wu S, Sun X, Qi HJ, Zhao RR. Active Materials for Functional Origami. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2302066. [PMID: 37120795 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202302066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, origami has been explored to aid in the design of engineering structures. These structures span multiple scales and have been demonstrated to be used toward various areas such as aerospace, metamaterial, biomedical, robotics, and architectural applications. Conventionally, origami or deployable structures have been actuated by hands, motors, or pneumatic actuators, which can result in heavy or bulky structures. On the other hand, active materials, which reconfigure in response to external stimulus, eliminate the need for external mechanical loads and bulky actuation systems. Thus, in recent years, active materials incorporated with deployable structures have shown promise for remote actuation of light weight, programmable origami. In this review, active materials such as shape memory polymers (SMPs) and alloys (SMAs), hydrogels, liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), magnetic soft materials (MSMs), and covalent adaptable network (CAN) polymers, their actuation mechanisms, as well as how they have been utilized for active origami and where these structures are applicable is discussed. Additionally, the state-of-the-art fabrication methods to construct active origami are highlighted. The existing structural modeling strategies for origami, the constitutive models used to describe active materials, and the largest challenges and future directions for active origami research are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Leanza
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Shuai Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Xiaohao Sun
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - H Jerry Qi
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Ruike Renee Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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Yang H, Wu D, Zheng S, Yu Y, Ren L, Li J, Ke H, Lv P, Wei Q. Fabrication and Photothermal Actuation Performances of Electrospun Carbon Nanotube/Liquid Crystal Elastomer Blend Yarn Actuators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:9313-9322. [PMID: 38323399 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a kind of polymer network that combines the entropic elasticity of polymer networks and the mesogenic unit by means of mild cross-linking. LCEs have been extensively investigated in various fields, including artificial muscles, actuators, and microrobots. However, LCEs are characterized by the poor mechanical properties of the light polymers themselves. In this study, we propose to prepare a carbon nanotube/liquid crystal elastomer (CNT/LCE) composite yarn by electrospinning technology and a two-step cross-linking strategy. The CNT/LCE composite yarn exhibits a reversible shrinkage ratio of nearly 70%, a tensile strength of 16.45 MPa, and a relatively sensitive response speed of ∼3 s, enabling a fast response by photothermal actuation. The research disclosed in this article may provide new insights for the development of artificial muscles and next-generation smart robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanrui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
| | - Dingsheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Textile Fabrics, College of Textiles and Clothing, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, P. R. China
| | - Siming Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
| | - Yajing Yu
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
| | - Lingyun Ren
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
| | - Jie Li
- Jiangsu Textiles Quality Services Inspection Testing Institute, Nanjing 210007, P. R. China
| | - Huizhen Ke
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Textile Fibers and Materials, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Pengfei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
| | - Qufu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Novel Functional Textile Fibers and Materials, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
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Wang Z, Chen Y, Ma Y, Wang J. Bioinspired Stimuli-Responsive Materials for Soft Actuators. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:128. [PMID: 38534813 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9030128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological species can walk, swim, fly, jump, and climb with fast response speeds and motion complexity. These remarkable functions are accomplished by means of soft actuation organisms, which are commonly composed of muscle tissue systems. To achieve the creation of their biomimetic artificial counterparts, various biomimetic stimuli-responsive materials have been synthesized and developed in recent decades. They can respond to various external stimuli in the form of structural or morphological transformations by actively or passively converting input energy into mechanical energy. They are the core element of soft actuators for typical smart devices like soft robots, artificial muscles, intelligent sensors and nanogenerators. Significant progress has been made in the development of bioinspired stimuli-responsive materials. However, these materials have not been comprehensively summarized with specific actuation mechanisms in the literature. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in biomimetic stimuli-responsive materials that are instrumental for soft actuators. Firstly, different stimuli-responsive principles for soft actuators are discussed, including fluidic, electrical, thermal, magnetic, light, and chemical stimuli. We further summarize the state-of-the-art stimuli-responsive materials for soft actuators and explore the advantages and disadvantages of using electroactive polymers, magnetic soft composites, photo-thermal responsive polymers, shape memory alloys and other responsive soft materials. Finally, we provide a critical outlook on the field of stimuli-responsive soft actuators and emphasize the challenges in the process of their implementation to various industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yixin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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10
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Kotikian A, Watkins AA, Bordiga G, Spielberg A, Davidson ZS, Bertoldi K, Lewis JA. Liquid Crystal Elastomer Lattices with Thermally Programmable Deformation via Multi-Material 3D Printing. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2310743. [PMID: 38189562 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
An integrated design, modeling, and multi-material 3D printing platform for fabricating liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) lattices in both homogeneous and heterogeneous layouts with spatially programmable nematic director order and local composition is reported. Depending on their compositional topology, these lattices exhibit different reversible shape-morphing transformations upon cycling above and below their respective nematic-to-isotropic transition temperatures. Further, it is shown that there is good agreement between their experimentally observed deformation response and model predictions for all LCE lattice designs evaluated. Lastly, an inverse design model is established and the ability to print LCE lattices with the predicted deformation behavior is demonstrated. This work opens new avenues for creating architected LCE lattices that may find potential application in energy-dissipating structures, microfluidic pumping, mechanical logic, and soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arda Kotikian
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Audrey A Watkins
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Giovanni Bordiga
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Andrew Spielberg
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Zoey S Davidson
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Katia Bertoldi
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Jennifer A Lewis
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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11
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Saeed MH, Choi MY, Kim K, Lee JH, Kim K, Kim D, Kim SU, Kim H, Ahn SK, Lan R, Na JH. Electrostatically Powered Multimode Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Actuators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:56285-56292. [PMID: 37991738 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Soft actuators based on liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are captivating significant interest because of their unique properties combining the programmable liquid crystalline molecular order and elasticity of polymeric materials. For practical applications, the ability to perform multimodal shape changes in a single LCE actuator at a subsecond level is a bottleneck. Here, we fabricate a monodomain LCE powered by electrostatic force, which enables fast multidirectional bending, oscillation, rotation, and complex actuation with a high degree of freedom. By tuning the dielectric constant and resistivity in LCE gels, a complete cycle of oscillation and rotation only takes 0.1 s. In addition, monodomain actuators exhibit anisotropic actuation behaviors that promise a more complex deployment in a potential electromechanical system. The presented study will pave the way for electrostatically controllable isothermal manipulation for a fast and multimode soft actuator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Hassan Saeed
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering Education, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon-Young Choi
- Department of Convergence System Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Kitae Kim
- Department of Convergence System Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hyeong Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Keumbee Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Dowon Kim
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering Education, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Um Kim
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Kyun Ahn
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Ruochen Lan
- Institute of Advanced Materials, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
| | - Jun-Hee Na
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering Education, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergence System Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
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12
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Xin Y, Zhou X, Bark H, Lee PS. The Role of 3D Printing Technologies in Soft Grippers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2307963. [PMID: 37971199 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Soft grippers are essential for precise and gentle handling of delicate, fragile, and easy-to-break objects, such as glassware, electronic components, food items, and biological samples, without causing any damage or deformation. This is especially important in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, food handling, and biomedical, where accuracy, safety, and preservation of the objects being handled are critical. This article reviews the use of 3D printing technologies in soft grippers, including those made of functional materials, nonfunctional materials, and those with sensors. 3D printing processes that can be used to fabricate each class of soft grippers are discussed. Available 3D printing technologies that are often used in soft grippers are primarily extrusion-based printing (fused deposition modeling and direct ink writing), jet-based printing (polymer jet), and immersion printing (stereolithography and digital light processing). The materials selected for fabricating soft grippers include thermoplastic polymers, UV-curable polymers, polymer gels, soft conductive composites, and hydrogels. It is conclude that 3D printing technologies revolutionize the way soft grippers are being fabricated, expanding their application domains and reducing the difficulties in customization, fabrication, and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Xin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise (SHARE), Smart Grippers for Soft Robotics (SGSR), Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore, 138602, Singapore
| | - Xinran Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise (SHARE), Smart Grippers for Soft Robotics (SGSR), Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore, 138602, Singapore
| | - Hyunwoo Bark
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Pooi See Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research and Enterprise (SHARE), Smart Grippers for Soft Robotics (SGSR), Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore, 138602, Singapore
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13
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Khalid MY, Arif ZU, Noroozi R, Hossain M, Ramakrishna S, Umer R. 3D/4D printing of cellulose nanocrystals-based biomaterials: Additives for sustainable applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 251:126287. [PMID: 37573913 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have gained significant attraction from both industrial and academic sectors, thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability with remarkable mechanical characteristics. Desirable mechanical characteristics of CNCs include high stiffness, high strength, excellent flexibility, and large surface-to-volume ratio. Additionally, the mechanical properties of CNCs can be tailored through chemical modifications for high-end applications including tissue engineering, actuating, and biomedical. Modern manufacturing methods including 3D/4D printing are highly advantageous for developing sophisticated and intricate geometries. This review highlights the major developments of additive manufactured CNCs, which promote sustainable solutions across a wide range of applications. Additionally, this contribution also presents current challenges and future research directions of CNC-based composites developed through 3D/4D printing techniques for myriad engineering sectors including tissue engineering, wound healing, wearable electronics, robotics, and anti-counterfeiting applications. Overall, this review will greatly help research scientists from chemistry, materials, biomedicine, and other disciplines to comprehend the underlying principles, mechanical properties, and applications of additively manufactured CNC-based structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yasir Khalid
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Zia Ullah Arif
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Management & Technology Lahore, Sialkot Campus, 51041, Pakistan.
| | - Reza Noroozi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mokarram Hossain
- Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, SA1 8EN Swansea, UK.
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore
| | - Rehan Umer
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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14
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Sun X, Chen S, Qu B, Wang R, Zheng Y, Liu X, Li W, Gao J, Chen Q, Zhuo D. Light-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6586. [PMID: 37852967 PMCID: PMC10584836 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42369-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Additive manufacturing technology has significantly impacted contemporary industries due to its ability to generate intricate computer-designed geometries. However, 3D-printed polymer parts often possess limited application potential, primarily because of their weak mechanical attributes. To overcome this drawback, this study formulates liquid crystal/photocurable resins suitable for the stereolithography technique by integrating 4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl with a photosensitive acrylic resin. This study demonstrates that stereolithography facilitates the precise modulation of the existing liquid crystal morphology within the resin. Furthermore, the orientation of the liquid crystal governs the oriented polymerization of monomers or prepolymers bearing acrylate groups. The products of this 3D printing approach manifest anisotropic behavior. Remarkably, when utilizing liquid crystal/photocurable resins, the resulting 3D-printed objects are approximately twice as robust as those created using commercial resins in terms of their tensile, flexural, and impact properties. This pioneering approach holds promise for realizing autonomously designed structures that remain elusive with present additive manufacturing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Sun
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Shaoyun Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China.
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
| | - Bo Qu
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Yanyu Zheng
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoying Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Wenjie Li
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Jianhong Gao
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China
| | - Qinhui Chen
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China.
| | - Dongxian Zhuo
- College of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350007, P. R. China.
- Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
- Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, P. R. China.
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15
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Wang J, Zhang Y, Zheng J, Zhao X, Guo H, Qiu Y, Wang X, Liu L, Yu H. A 4D-Printing Inverse Design Strategy for Micromachines with Customized Shape-Morphing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2302656. [PMID: 37345000 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
An active heterostructure with smart-response material used as "muscle" and inactive material as "skeleton" can deform over time to respond to external stimuli. 4D printing integrated with two-photon polymerization technology and smart material allows the material or characteristic distribution of active heterostructures to be defined directly at the microscale, providing a huge programmable space. However, the high degree of design freedom and the microscale pose a challenge to the construction of micromachines with customized shape morphing. Here, a reverse design strategy based on multi-material stepwise 4D printing is proposed to guide the structural design of biomimetic micromachines. Inspired by the piecewise constant curvature model of soft robot, a reverse design algorithm based on the Timoshenko model is developed. The algorithm can approximate 2D features to a constant-curvature model and determine an acceptable material distribution within the explored printing range. Three Chinese "Long" (Chinese dragon heralds of good fortune) designed by the strategy can deform to the customized shape. In addition, a microcrawler printed using this method can imitate a real inchworm gait. These results demonstrate that this method can be an efficient tool for the action or shape design of bionic soft microrobots or micromachines with predetermined functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yuzhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jianchen Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiubao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- School of Information Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongji Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Ye Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaoduo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Lianqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
| | - Haibo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110169, China
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16
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Zhang Z, Yang X, Zhao Y, Ye F, Shang L. Liquid Crystal Materials for Biomedical Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2300220. [PMID: 37235719 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal is a state of matter being intermediate between solid and liquid. Liquid crystal materials exhibit both orientational order and fluidity. While liquid crystals have long been highly recognized in the display industry, in recent decades, liquid crystals provide new opportunities into the cross-field of material science and biomedicine due to their biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and responsiveness. In this review, the latest achievements of liquid crystal materials applied in biomedical fields are summarized. The start is made by introducing the basic concepts of liquid crystals, and then shifting to the components of liquid crystals as well as functional materials derived therefrom. After that, the ongoing and foreseeable applications of liquid crystal materials in the biomedical field with emphasis put on several cutting-edge aspects, including drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, implantable devices, biosensing, and wearable devices are discussed. It is hoped that this review will stimulate ingenious ideas for the future generation of liquid crystal-based drug development, artificial implants, disease diagnosis, health status monitoring, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohao Zhang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xinyuan Yang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
| | - Luoran Shang
- Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital, Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, the International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
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17
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Lan R, Shen W, Yao W, Chen J, Chen X, Yang H. Bioinspired humidity-responsive liquid crystalline materials: from adaptive soft actuators to visualized sensors and detectors. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:2824-2844. [PMID: 37211901 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00392b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by nature, humidity-responsive materials and devices have attracted significant interest from scientists in multiple disciplines, ranging from chemistry, physics and materials science to biomimetics. Owing to their superiorities, including harmless stimulus and untethered control, humidity-driven materials have been widely investigated for application in soft robots, smart sensors and detectors, biomimetic devices and anticounterfeiting labels. Especially, humidity-responsive liquid crystalline materials are particularly appealing due to the combination of programmable and adaptive liquid crystal matrix and humidity-controllability, enabling the fabrication of advanced self-adaptive robots and visualized sensors. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in humidity-driven liquid crystalline materials. First, a brief introduction of liquid crystal materials, including liquid crystalline polymers, cholesteric liquid crystals, blue-phase liquid crystals and cholesteric cellulose nanocrystals is provided. Subsequently, the mechanisms of humidity-responsiveness are presented, followed by the diverse strategies for the fabrication of humidity-responsive liquid crystalline materials. The applications of humidity-driven devices will be presented ranging from soft actuators to visualized sensors and detectors. Finally, we provide an outlook on the development of humidity-driven liquid crystalline materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Lan
- Institute of Advanced Materials & Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China.
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Wenbo Shen
- Hangzhou WITLANCE Technology Co. Ltd, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Wenhuan Yao
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Institute of Advanced Materials & Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China.
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Institute of Advanced Materials & Key Lab of Fluorine and Silicon for Energy Materials and Chemistry of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China.
| | - Huai Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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18
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Wang Q, Tian X, Zhang D, Zhou Y, Yan W, Li D. Programmable spatial deformation by controllable off-center freestanding 4D printing of continuous fiber reinforced liquid crystal elastomer composites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3869. [PMID: 37391425 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39566-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to their high deformation ability, 4D printed structures have various applications in origami structures, soft robotics and deployable mechanisms. As a material with programmable molecular chain orientation, liquid crystal elastomer is expected to produce the freestanding, bearable and deformable three-dimensional structure. However, majority of the existing 4D printing methods for liquid crystal elastomers can only fabricate planar structures, which limits their deformation designability and bearing capacity. Here we propose a direct ink writing based 4D printing method for freestanding continuous fiber reinforced composites. Continuous fibers can support freestanding structures during the printing process and improve the mechanical property and deformation ability of 4D printed structures. In this paper, the integration of 4D printed structures with fully impregnated composite interfaces, programmable deformation ability and high bearing capacity are realized by adjusting the off-center distribution of the fibers, and the printed liquid crystal composite can carry a load of up to 2805 times its own weight and achieve a bending deformation curvature of 0.33 mm-1 at 150 °C. This research is expected to open new avenues for creating soft robotics, mechanical metamaterials and artificial muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingrui Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyong Tian
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Daokang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanli Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wanquan Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dichen Li
- State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
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19
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Chen M, Gao M, Bai L, Zheng H, Qi HJ, Zhou K. Recent Advances in 4D Printing of Liquid Crystal Elastomers. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2209566. [PMID: 36461147 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202209566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are renowned for their large, reversible, and anisotropic shape change in response to various external stimuli due to their lightly cross-linked polymer networks with an oriented mesogen direction, thus showing great potential for applications in robotics, bio-medics, electronics, optics, and energy. To fully take advantage of the anisotropic stimuli-responsive behaviors of LCEs, it is preferable to achieve a locally controlled mesogen alignment into monodomain orientations. In recent years, the application of 4D printing to LCEs opens new doors for simultaneously programming the mesogen alignment and the 3D geometry, offering more opportunities and higher feasibility for the fabrication of 4D-printed LCE objects with desirable stimuli-responsive properties. Here, the state-of-the-art advances in 4D printing of LCEs are reviewed, with emphasis on both the mechanisms and potential applications. First, the fundamental properties of LCEs and the working principles of the representative 4D printing techniques are briefly introduced. Then, the fabrication of LCEs by 4D printing techniques and the advantages over conventional manufacturing methods are demonstrated. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and potential development trends toward the 4D printing of LCEs are discussed, which may shed light on future research directions in this new field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Chen
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Ming Gao
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Lichun Bai
- School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410075, China
| | - Han Zheng
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - H Jerry Qi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Kun Zhou
- Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
- HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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20
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Luu K, Park SY. Shape-Persistent Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Cis-Stable Crosslinkers Containing Ortho-Methyl-Substituted Azobenzene. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- 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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21
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Tahouni Y, Cheng T, Lajewski S, Benz J, Bonten C, Wood D, Menges A. Codesign of Biobased Cellulose-Filled Filaments and Mesostructures for 4D Printing Humidity Responsive Smart Structures. 3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 2023; 10:1-14. [PMID: 36852265 PMCID: PMC9963502 DOI: 10.1089/3dp.2022.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Hygromorphic smart structures are advantageous as passively actuated systems for generating movement, with applications ranging from weather-responsive architectural building skins to adaptive wearables and microrobotics. Four-dimensional (4D) printing is a valuable method for multiscale fabrication and physical programming of such structures. However, material limitations in terms of printability, responsiveness, and mechanical properties are major bottlenecks in achieving reliable and repeatable humidity-responsive actuation. We propose a codesign method for 4D printing hygromorphic structures through fused filament fabrication, incorporating parallel development of (1) biobased cellulose-filled filaments with varying stiffness and hygroresponsiveness, and (2) designed mesoscale structuring in printed elements. We first describe the design of a pallet of filaments produced by compounding cellulose powder in mass ratios of 0-30% within two matrix polymers with high and low stiffness. We then present the design, fabrication, and testing of a series of 4D-printed prototypes tuned to change shape, that is, open and close, in response to relative humidity (RH). The structures can fully transform in conditions of 35-90% RH, which corresponds to naturally occurring shifts in RH in daily and seasonal weather cycles. Furthermore, their motion is fast (within the range of minutes), fully reversible, and repeatable in numerous cycles. These results open new opportunities for the utilization of 4D printing and natural resources for the development of functional humidity-responsive smart structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Tahouni
- Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tiffany Cheng
- Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Silvia Lajewski
- Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Johannes Benz
- Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Christian Bonten
- Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dylan Wood
- Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Achim Menges
- Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (IntCDC), University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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22
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Liu M, Jin L, Yang S, Wang Y, Murray CB, Yang S. Shape Morphing Directed by Spatially Encoded, Dually Responsive Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Micro-Actuators. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2208613. [PMID: 36341507 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202208613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) with intrinsic molecular anisotropy can be programmed to morph shapes under external stimuli. However, it is difficult to program the position and orientation of individual mesogenic units separately and locally, whether in-plane or out-of-plane, since each mesogen is linked to adjacent ones through the covalently bonded polymer chains. Here, dually responsive, spindle-shaped micro-actuators are synthesized from LCE composites, which can reorient under a magnetic field and change the shape upon heating. When the discrete micro-actuators are embedded in a conventional and nonresponsive elastomer with programmed height distribution and in-plane orientation in local regions, robust and complex shape morphing induced by the cooperative actuations of the locally distributed micro-actuators, which corroborates with finite element analysis, are shown. The spatial encoding of discrete micro-actuators in a nonresponsive matrix allows to decouple the actuators and the matrix, broadening the material palette to program local and global responses to stimuli for applications including soft robotics, smart wearables, and sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lishuai Jin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shengsong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Christopher B Murray
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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23
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Emerging 4D printing strategies for on-demand local actuation & micro printing of soft materials. Eur Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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24
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Gao J, He Y, Cong X, Yi H, Guo J. Reconfigurable Fluorescent Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Integrated Visual and Haptic Information Storage. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:53348-53358. [PMID: 36395006 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The rapid advancements in information technology require new information storage and display materials. However, the development of on-demand information storage systems with multiple modes remains a significant challenge. As a pioneering approach, this study designed an integrated visual and haptic information storage and display using a reconfigurable fluorescent liquid crystal elastomer (FLCE) with dynamic covalent bonds. The FLCEs were fabricated in two steps of amine-acrylate aza-Michael addition and photopolymerization, and they simultaneously exhibited phototunable fluorescence caused by the reversible Z/E photoisomerization of the chromophores and a reprogrammable shape owing to the catalyst-free transesterification. In addition, we established various information storage and display modes featuring the characteristics of reversibly photoswitchable fluorescence, shape memory, and thermally reconfigurable shape with a reconfigurable FLCE system. Moreover, a strategy to display the information by incorporating both visual and haptic feedback is implemented for fulfilling the needs of the visually impaired and related users. Such reconfigurable FLCE systems will aid in the development of on-demand information storage, display, and protection devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Yanrong He
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Xiaoyang Cong
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Huijie Yi
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Jinbao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
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25
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Lee G, Song HY, Choi S, Kim CB, Hyun K, Ahn SK. Harnessing β-Hydroxyl Groups in Poly(β-Amino Esters) toward Robust and Fast Reprocessing Covalent Adaptable Networks. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01872] [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)
- Gyuri Lee
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong Yong Song
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Subi Choi
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Bin Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Hyun
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-kyun Ahn
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan46241, Republic of Korea
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26
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Arif ZU, Khalid MY, Zolfagharian A, Bodaghi M. 4D bioprinting of smart polymers for biomedical applications: recent progress, challenges, and future perspectives. REACT FUNCT POLYM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2022.105374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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27
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Zhang Y, Zhang C, Wang R, Tan W, Gu Y, Yu X, Zhu L, Liu L. Development and challenges of smart actuators based on water-responsive materials. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:5725-5741. [PMID: 35904079 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00519k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Water-responsive (WR) materials, due to their controllable mechanical response to humidity without energy actuation, have attracted lots of attention to the development of smart actuators. WR material-based smart actuators can transform natural humidity to a required mechanical motion and have been widely used in various fields, such as soft robots, micro-generators, smart building materials, and textiles. In this paper, the development of smart actuators based on different WR materials has been reviewed systematically. First, the properties of different biological WR materials and the corresponding actuators are summarized, including plant materials, animal materials, and microorganism materials. Additionally, various synthetic WR materials and their related applications in smart actuators have also been introduced in detail, including hydrophilic polymers, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and other synthetic materials. Finally, the challenges of the WR actuator are analyzed from the three perspectives of actuator design, control methods, and compatibility, and the potential solutions are also discussed. This paper may be useful for the development of not only soft actuators that are based on WR materials, but also smart materials applied to renewable energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Zhang
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang 110159, Liaoning, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
| | - Chuang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
| | - Ruiqian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenjun Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yanyu Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
| | - Xiaobin Yu
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang 110159, Liaoning, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
| | - Lizhong Zhu
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang 110159, Liaoning, China.
| | - Lianqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- Institutes for Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110169, China
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28
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Choi S, Kim B, Park S, Seo JH, Ahn SK. Slidable Cross-Linking Effect on Liquid Crystal Elastomers: Enhancement of Toughness, Shape-Memory, and Self-Healing Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:32486-32496. [PMID: 35792581 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c06462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The network structures of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are crucial to impart rubbery behavior to LCEs and enable reversible actuation. Most LCEs developed to date are covalently linked, implying that the cross-links are fixed at a particular position. Herein, we report a new class of LCEs integrating polyrotaxanes (PRs) as slidable cross-links (PR-LCEs). Interestingly, the incorporation of a low loading (0.3-2.0 wt %) of the PR cross-linkers to the LCE causes a significant impact on various properties of the resulting PR-LCEs due to the pulley effect. The optimum PR loading is determined to be 0.5 wt %, at which point the toughness and damping behavior are maximized. The robust mechanical properties of the PR-LCE offers a superior actuation performance to that of the pristine LCE along with an excellent quadruple shape-memory effect. Furthermore, the incorporation of PR is useful to enhance the efficiency of shape-memory-assisted self-healing when heating above the nematic-isotropic transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subi Choi
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Bitgaram Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmin Park
- Advanced Materials Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hun Seo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Kyun Ahn
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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29
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Monti J, Concellón A, Dong R, Simmler M, Münchinger A, Huck C, Tegeder P, Nirschl H, Wegener M, Osuji CO, Blasco E. Two-Photon Laser Microprinting of Highly Ordered Nanoporous Materials Based on Hexagonal Columnar Liquid Crystals. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:33746-33755. [PMID: 35849651 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c10106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanoporous materials relying on supramolecular liquid crystals (LCs) are excellent candidates for size- and charge-selective membranes. However, whether they can be manufactured using printing technologies remained unexplored so far. In this work, we develop a new approach for the fabrication of ordered nanoporous microstructures based on supramolecular LCs using two-photon laser printing. In particular, we employ photo-cross-linkable hydrogen-bonded complexes, that self-assemble into columnar hexagonal (Colh) mesophases, as the base of our printable photoresist. The presence of photopolymerizable groups in the periphery of the molecules enables the printability using a laser. We demonstrate the conservation of the Colh arrangement and of the adsorptive properties of the materials after laser microprinting, which highlights the potential of the approach for the fabrication of functional nanoporous structures with a defined geometry. This first example of printable Colh LC should open new opportunities for the fabrication of functional porous microdevices with potential application in catalysis, filtration, separation, or molecular recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joël Monti
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
| | - Alberto Concellón
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Ruiqi Dong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Mira Simmler
- Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Alexander Münchinger
- Institute of Applied Physics (APH), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Christian Huck
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Petra Tegeder
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Hermann Nirschl
- Institute of Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Martin Wegener
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
- Institute of Applied Physics (APH), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Eva Blasco
- Institute of Nanotechnology (INT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen 76344, Germany
- Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Organic Chemistry Institute, Heidelberg University, Hedelberg 69120, Germany
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30
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Lugger SJD, Verbroekken RMC, Mulder DJ, Schenning APHJ. Direct Ink Writing of Recyclable Supramolecular Soft Actuators. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:935-940. [PMID: 35802869 PMCID: PMC9301911 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Direct ink writing (DIW) of liquid crystal elastomers
(LCEs) has
rapidly paved its way into the field of soft actuators and other stimuli-responsive
devices. However, currently used LCE systems for DIW require postprinting
(photo)polymerization, thereby forming a covalent network, making
the process time-consuming and the material nonrecyclable. In this
work, a DIW approach is developed for printing a supramolecular poly(thio)urethane
LCE to overcome these drawbacks of permanent cross-linking. The thermo-reversible
nature of the supramolecular cross-links enables the interplay between
melt-processable behavior required for extrusion and formation of
the network to fix the alignment. After printing, the actuators demonstrated
a reversible contraction of 12.7% or bending and curling motions when
printed on a passive substrate. The thermoplastic ink enables recyclability,
as shown by cutting and printing the actuators five times. However,
the actuation performance diminishes. This work highlights the potential
of supramolecular LCE inks for DIW soft circular actuators and other
devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J D Lugger
- Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ruth M C Verbroekken
- Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J Mulder
- Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.,Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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31
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Guan Z, Wang L, Bae J. Advances in 4D printing of liquid crystalline elastomers: materials, techniques, and applications. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:1825-1849. [PMID: 35504034 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00232a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are polymer networks exhibiting anisotropic liquid crystallinity while maintaining elastomeric properties. Owing to diverse polymeric forms and self-alignment molecular behaviors, LCEs have fascinated state-of-the-art efforts in various disciplines other than the traditional low-molar-mass display market. By patterning order to structures, LCEs demonstrate reversible high-speed and large-scale actuations in response to external stimuli, allowing for close integration with 4D printing and architectures of digital devices, which is scarcely observed in homogeneous soft polymer networks. In this review, we collect recent advances in 4D printing of LCEs, with emphases on synthesis and processing methods that enable microscopic changes in the molecular orientation and hence macroscopic changes in the properties of end-use objects. Promising potentials of printed complexes include fields of soft robotics, optics, and biomedical devices. Within this scope, we elucidate the relationships among external stimuli, tailorable morphologies in mesophases of liquid crystals, and programmable topological configurations of printed parts. Lastly, perspectives and potential challenges facing 4D printing of LCEs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhecun Guan
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China.
| | - Jinhye Bae
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
- Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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32
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Abadia AV, Herbert KM, White TJ, Schwartz DK, Kaar JL. Biocatalytic 3D Actuation in Liquid Crystal Elastomers via Enzyme Patterning. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:26480-26488. [PMID: 35652291 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c05802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli-responsive materials that undergo large shape transformations after undergoing an order-disorder transition. While shape reconfigurations in LCEs are predominantly triggered by heat, there is a considerable interest in developing highly specific triggers that work at room temperature. Herein, we report the fabrication of biocatalytic LCEs that respond to the presence of urea by covalently immobilizing urease within chemically responsive LCE networks. The hydrogen-bonded LCEs developed in this work exhibited contractile strains of up to 36% upon exposure to a base. Notably, the generation of ammonia by immobilized urease triggered a disruption in the supramolecular network and a large reduction of liquid crystalline order in the films when the LCEs were exposed to urea. This reduction in order was macroscopically translated into a strain response that could be modulated by changing the concentration of urea or exposure time to the substrate. Local control of the mechanical response of the LCE was realized by spatially patterning the enzyme on the surface of the films. Subsequent exposure of enzymatically patterned LCE to urea-triggered 3D shape transformations into a curl, arch, or accordion-like structure, depending on the motif patterned on the film surface. Furthermore, we showed that the presence of salt was critical to prevent bridging of the network by the presence of ammonium ions, thereby enabling such macroscopic 3D shape changes. The large actuation potential of LCEs and the ability to translate the biocatalytic activity of enzymes to macroscopic 3D shape transformations could enable use in applications ranging from cell culture, medicine, or antifouling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Velasco Abadia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Katie M Herbert
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Material Science and Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Daniel K Schwartz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Joel L Kaar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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33
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Wang Z, Lan R, Bao J, Shen C, Huang R, Song C, Zhang L, Yang H. Reprogrammable Humidity-Driven Liquid Crystalline Polymer Actuator Enabled by Dynamic Ionic Bonds. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:17869-17877. [PMID: 35384664 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c04662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) is a promising candidate in the design and fabrication of intelligent soft materials due to the combination of programmable anisotropy and elasticity. Here, a novel strategy to fabricate reprogrammable humidity-responsive LCP materials enabled by dynamic ionic cross-links were put forward. The prepared LCP film deforms reversibly with the change of relative humidity (RH). However, the humidity responsivity loses after soaking the film into CaCl2 solution because of the lock of hygroscopic groups by the formed ionic bonds. By selectively cross-linking specific regions of the LCP film, distinctive humidity-driven motions of the film could be realized. More interestingly, by the EDTA-2K solution treatment, ionic cross-links can be interrupted, leading the LCP film responsive to humidity again. Thanks to feasibly removable ionic cross-links, the humidity-directed soft actuator was totally reprogrammable. The behavior of the novel actuator could be manipulated by either the mesogens alignment or the spatially ionic treatment, providing a feasible but robust strategy to fabricate complex humidity-driven soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizheng Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Polymers Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ruochen Lan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Polymers Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinying Bao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Polymers Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chen Shen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Polymers Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Rui Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chenjie Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Capital Medical University, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lanying Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Polymers Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huai Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Key Laboratory of Polymers Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
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34
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Bauman GE, Koch JA, White TJ. Rheology of liquid crystalline oligomers for 3-D printing of liquid crystalline elastomers. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:3168-3176. [PMID: 35380153 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00166g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline monomers can be oligomerized and subsequently 3-D printed to prepare liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) with spatial variation of the nematic director to create soft materials that undergo complex shape change when subject to stimulus. Here, we detail the correlation of alignment in 3-D printed LCE on the shear history of the oligomeric ink. This coupling is evident both in the polymerization of sheared LCE samples as well as steady-state rheological experiments that quantify the time-dependent flow behaviors of these complex fluids. Under a steady shear flow, oligomeric LC inks transition from a nematic state with unaligned (polydomain) orientation to a uniaxially aligned (monodomain) nematic phase over a large range of applied strain. After cessation of shear flow, the oligomeric LC inks return the polydomain orientation over approximately 30 minutes. The alignment of liquid crystalline segments in the LCE (and the associated stimuli-response of the materials) is ultimately correlated to the degree of strain applied to the ink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant E Bauman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA.
| | - Jeremy A Koch
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA.
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA.
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35
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Hu J, Yu M, Wang M, Choy KL, Yu H. Design, Regulation, and Applications of Soft Actuators Based on Liquid-Crystalline Polymers and Their Composites. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:12951-12963. [PMID: 35259869 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c25103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Soft actuators designed from stimuli-responsive polymers often possess a certain amount of bionic functionality because of their versatile deformation. Liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs) and their composites are among the most fascinating materials for soft actuators due to their great advantages of flexible structure design and easy regulation. In this Spotlight on Applications, we mainly focus on our group's latest research progress in soft actuators based on LCPs and their composites. Some representative research findings from other groups are also included for a better understanding of this research field. Above all, the essential principles for the responsive behavior and reconfigurable performance of the soft actuators are discussed, from the perspective of material morphology and structure design. Further on, we analyze recent work on how to precisely regulate the responsive modes and quantify the operating parameters of soft actuators. Finally, some application examples are given to demonstrate well-designed soft actuators with different functions under varied working environments, which is expected to provide inspiration for future research in developing more intelligent and multifunctional integrated soft actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, People's Republic of China
- Institute of New Structural Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingming Yu
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingqing Wang
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College of London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Kwang-Leong Choy
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College of London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Haifeng Yu
- Institute of New Structural Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Zhang J, Sun D, Zhang B, Sun Q, Zhang Y, Liu S, Wang Y, Liu C, Chen J, Chen J, Song Y, Liu X. Intrinsic carbon nanotube liquid crystalline elastomer photoactuators for high-definition biomechanics. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:1045-1056. [PMID: 35040453 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh01810h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Photoresponsive soft actuators with the unique merits of flexibility, contactless operation, and remote control have huge potential in technological applications of bionic robotics and biomedical devices. Herein, a facile strategy was proposed to prepare an intrinsically-photoresponsive elastomer by chemically grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a thermally-sensitive liquid-crystalline elastomer (LCE) network. Highly effective dispersion and nematic orientation of CNTs in the intrinsic LCE matrix were observed to yield anchoring energies ranging from 1.65 × 10-5 J m-2 to 5.49 × 10-7 J m-2, which significantly enhanced the mechanical and photothermal properties of the photoresponsive elastomer. When embedding an ultralow loading of CNTs (0.1 wt%), the tensile strength of the LCE increased by 420% to 13.89 MPa (||) and 530% to 3.94 MPa (⊥) and exhibited a stable response to repeated alternating cooling and heating cycles, as well as repeated UV and infrared irradiation. Furthermore, the shape transformation, locomotion, and photo-actuation capabilities allow the CNT/LCE actuator to be applied in high-definition biomechanical applications, such as phototactic flowers, serpentine robots and artificial muscles. This design strategy may provide a promising method to manufacture high-precision, remote-control smart devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzhong Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Dandan Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Bin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Qingqing Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Center of Advanced Analysis & Gene Sequencing, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuiren Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yaming Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing & Mold, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Chuntai Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing & Mold, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jinzhou Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Jingbo Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yanlin Song
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xuying Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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Del Pozo M, Sol JAHP, Schenning APHJ, Debije MG. 4D Printing of Liquid Crystals: What's Right for Me? ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2104390. [PMID: 34716625 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202104390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen major advances in the developments of both additive manufacturing concepts and responsive materials. When combined as 4D printing, the process can lead to functional materials and devices for use in health, energy generation, sensing, and soft robots. Among responsive materials, liquid crystals, which can deliver programmed, reversible, rapid responses in both air and underwater, are a prime contender for additive manufacturing, given their ease of use and adaptability to many different applications. In this paper, selected works are compared and analyzed to come to a didactical overview of the liquid crystal-additive manufacturing junction. Reading from front to back gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the options and challenges in the field, while researchers already experienced in either liquid crystals or additive manufacturing are encouraged to scan through the text to see how they can incorporate additive manufacturing or liquid crystals into their own work. The educational text is closed with proposals for future research in this crossover field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Del Pozo
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen A H P Sol
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P H J Schenning
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
| | - Michael G Debije
- Laboratory for Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Groene Loper 3, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, The Netherlands
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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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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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