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Zhang Z, Deng C, Fan X, Li M, Zhang M, Wang X, Chen F, Shi S, Zhou Y, Deng L, Gao H, Xiong W. 3D Directional Assembly of Liquid Crystal Molecules. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401533. [PMID: 38794830 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The precise construction of hierarchically long-range ordered structures using molecules as fundamental building blocks can fully harness their anisotropy and potential. However, the 3D, high-precision, and single-step directional assembly of molecules is a long-pending challenge. Here, a 3D directional molecular assembly strategy via femtosecond laser direct writing (FsLDW) is proposed and the feasibility of this approach using liquid crystal (LC) molecules as an illustrative example is demonstrated. The physical mechanism for femtosecond (fs) laser-induced assembly of LC molecules is investigated, and precise 3D arbitrary assembly of LC molecules is achieved by defining the discretized laser scanning pathway. Additionally, an LC-based Fresnel zone plate array with polarization selection and colorization imaging functions is fabricated to further illustrate the potential of this method. This study not only introduces a 3D high-resolution alignment method for LC-based functional devices but also establishes a universal protocol for the precise 3D directional assembly of anisotropic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexu Zhang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Chunsan Deng
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xuhao Fan
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Minjing Li
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Mingduo Zhang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xinger Wang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Fayu Chen
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shaoxi Shi
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yining Zhou
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Leimin Deng
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Hubei, 430074, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Hubei, 430074, China
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Chen J, Luo Y. Disodium Cromoglycate Templates Anisotropic Short-Chain PEG Hydrogels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:33223-33234. [PMID: 38885610 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Anisotropic hydrogels have found widespread applications in biomedical engineering, particularly as scaffolds for tissue engineering. However, it remains a challenge to produce them using conventional fabrication methods, without specialized synthesis or equipment, such as 3D printing and unidirectional stretching. In this study, we explore the self-assembly behaviors of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), using disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), a lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal, as a removable template. The affinity between short-chain PEGDA (Mn = 250) and DSCG allows polymerization to take place at the DSCG surface, thereby forming anisotropic hydrogel networks with fibrin-like morphologies. This process requires considerable finesse as the phase behaviors of DSCG depend on a multitude of factors, including the weight percentage of PEGDA and DSCG, the chain length of PEGDA, and the concentration of ionic species. The key to modulating the microstructures of the all-PEG hydrogel networks is through precise control of the DSCG concentration, resulting in anisotropic mechanical properties. Using these anisotropic hydrogel networks, we demonstrate that human dermal fibroblasts are particularly sensitive to the alignment order. We find that cells exhibit a density-dependent activation pattern of a Yes-associated protein, a mechanotransducer, corroborating its role in enabling cells to translate external mechanical and morphological patterns to specific behaviors. The flexibility of modulating microstructure, along with PEG hydrogels' biocompatibility and biodegradability, underscores their potential use for tissue engineering to create functional structures with physiological morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Yimin Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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3
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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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Wang X, Jiang J, Chen J, Asilehan Z, Tang W, Peng C, Zhang R. Moiré effect enables versatile design of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1655. [PMID: 38409234 PMCID: PMC10897219 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45529-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in surface-patterning techniques of liquid crystals have enabled the precise creation of topological defects, which promise a variety of emergent applications. However, the manipulation and application of these defects remain limited. Here, we harness the moiré effect to engineer topological defects in patterned nematic liquid crystal cells. Specifically, we combine simulation and experiment to examine a nematic cell confined between two substrates of periodic surface anchoring patterns; by rotating one surface against the other, we observe a rich variety of highly tunable, novel topological defects. These defects are shown to guide the three-dimensional self-assembly of colloids, which can conversely impact defects by preventing the self-annihilation of loop-defects through jamming. Finally, we demonstrate that certain nematic moiré cells can engender arbitrary shapes represented by defect regions. As such, the proposed simple twist method enables the design and tuning of mesoscopic structures in liquid crystals, facilitating applications including defect-directed self-assembly, material transport, micro-reactors, photonic devices, and anti-counterfeiting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA
| | - Zhawure Asilehan
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Wentao Tang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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Feng W, He Q, Zhang L. Embedded Physical Intelligence in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Actuators and Robots. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2312313. [PMID: 38375751 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Responsive materials possess the inherent capacity to autonomously sense and respond to various external stimuli, demonstrating physical intelligence. Among the diverse array of responsive materials, liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) stand out for their remarkable reversible stimuli-responsive shape-morphing properties and their potential for creating soft robots. While numerous reviews have extensively detailed the progress in developing LCP-based actuators and robots, there exists a need for comprehensive summaries that elucidate the underlying principles governing actuation and how physical intelligence is embedded within these systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in developing actuators and robots endowed with physical intelligence using LCPs. This review is structured around the stimulus conditions and categorizes the studies involving responsive LCPs based on the fundamental control and stimulation logic and approach. Specifically, three main categories are examined: systems that respond to changing stimuli, those operating under constant stimuli, and those equip with learning and logic control capabilities. Furthermore, the persisting challenges that need to be addressed are outlined and discuss the future avenues of research in this dynamic field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Feng
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qiguang He
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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6
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Kim WS, Im JH, Kim H, Choi JK, Choi Y, Kim YK. Liquid Crystalline Systems from Nature and Interaction of Living Organisms with Liquid Crystals. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2204275. [PMID: 35861641 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biomaterials, which are substances interacting with biological systems, have been extensively explored to understand living organisms and obtain scientific inspiration (such as biomimetics). However, many aspects of biomaterials have yet to be fully understood. Because liquid crystalline phases are ubiquitously found in biomaterials (e.g., cholesterol, amphiphile, DNA, cellulose, bacteria), therefore, a wide range of research has made attempts to approach unresolved issues with the concept of liquid crystals (LCs). This review presents these studies that address the interactive correlation between biomaterials and LCs. Specifically, intrinsic LC behavior of various biomaterials such as DNA, cellulose nanocrystals, and bacteriaare first introduced. Second, the dynamics of bacteria in LC media are addressed, with focus on how bacteria interact with LCs, and how dynamics of bacteria can be controlled by exploiting the characteristics of LCs. Lastly, how the strong correlation between LCs and biomaterials has been leveraged to design a new class of biosensors with additional functionalities (e.g., self-regulated drug release) that are not available in previous systems is reviewed. Examples addressed in this review convey the message that the intersection between biomaterials and LCs offers deep insights into fundamental understanding of biomaterials, and provides resources for development of transformative technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Sik Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Hyung Im
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyein Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kang Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Yena Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ki Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
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Chen J, Akomolafe OI, Dhakal NP, Pujyam M, Skalli O, Jiang J, Peng C. Nematic Templated Complex Nanofiber Structures by Projection Display. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:7230-7240. [PMID: 35084814 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Oriented arrays of nanofibers are ubiquitous in nature and have been widely used in recreation of the biological functions such as bone and muscle tissue regenerations. However, it remains a challenge to produce nanofiber arrays with a complex organization by using current fabrication techniques such as electrospinning and extrusion. In this work, we propose a method to fabricate the complex organization of nanofiber structures templated by a spatially varying ordered liquid crystal host, which follows the pattern produced by a maskless projection display system. By programming the synchronization of the rotated polarizer and projected segments with different shapes, various configurations of nanofiber organization ranging from a single to two-dimensional lattice of arbitrary topological defects are created in a deterministic manner. The nanofiber arrays can effectively guide and promote neurite outgrowth. The application of nanofibers with arced profiles and topological defects on neural tissue organization is also demonstrated. This finding, combined with the versatility and programmability of nanofiber structures, suggests that they will help solve challenges in nerve repair, neural regeneration, and other related tissue engineering fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Chen
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Oluwafemi Isaac Akomolafe
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Netra Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Mahesh Pujyam
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Omar Skalli
- Department of Biology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
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Chen J, Akomolafe OI, Jiang J, Peng C. Light-Actuated Liquid Crystal Elastomer Prepared by Projection Display. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 14:7245. [PMID: 34885398 PMCID: PMC8658156 DOI: 10.3390/ma14237245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Soft materials with programmability have been widely used in drug delivery, tissue engineering, artificial muscles, biosensors, and related biomedical engineering applications. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) can easily morph into three-dimensional (3D) shapes by external stimuli such as light, heat, and humidity. In order to program two-dimensional (2D) LCE sheets into desired 3D morphologies, it is critical to precisely control the molecular orientations in LCE. In this work, we propose a simple photopatterning method based on a maskless projection display system to create spatially varying molecular orientations in LCE films. By designing different synchronized rotations of the polarizer and projected images, diverse configurations ranging from individual to 2D lattice of topological defects are fabricated. The proposed technique significantly simplified the photopatterning procedure without using fabricated masks or waveplates. Shape transformations such as a cone and a truncated square pyramid, and functionality mimicking the responsive Mimosa Pudica are demonstrated in the fabricated LCE films. The programmable LCE morphing behaviors demonstrated in this work will open opportunities in soft robotics and smart functional devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (J.C.); (O.I.A.)
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; (J.C.); (O.I.A.)
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Guo Y, Zhang J, Hu W, Khan MTA, Sitti M. Shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer structures with arbitrary three-dimensional director fields and geometries. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5936. [PMID: 34642352 PMCID: PMC8511085 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26136-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers exhibit large reversible strain and programmable shape transformations, enabling various applications in soft robotics, dynamic optics, and programmable origami and kirigami. The morphing modes of these materials depend on both their geometries and director fields. In two dimensions, a pixel-by-pixel design has been accomplished to attain more flexibility over the spatial resolution of the liquid crystal response. Here we generalize this idea in two steps. First, we create independent, cubic light-responsive voxels, each with a predefined director field orientation. Second, these voxels are in turn assembled to form lines, grids, or skeletal structures that would be rather difficult to obtain from an initially connected material sample. In this way, the orientation of the director fields can be made to vary at voxel resolution to allow for programmable optically- or thermally-triggered anisotropic or heterogeneous material responses and morphology changes in three dimensions that would be impossible or hard to implement otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Engineering Medicine, Beijing Institute of Technology, 100081, Beijing, China
| | - Jiachen Zhang
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wenqi Hu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Muhammad Turab Ali Khan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
- School of Medicine and College of Engineering, Koç University, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Shaban H, Lee MJ, Lee W. Label-Free Detection and Spectrometrically Quantitative Analysis of the Cancer Biomarker CA125 Based on Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal. BIOSENSORS 2021; 11:bios11080271. [PMID: 34436073 PMCID: PMC8394883 DOI: 10.3390/bios11080271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Compared with thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs), the biosensing potential of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), which are more biocompatible because of their hydrophilic nature, has scarcely been investigated. In this study, the nematic phase, a mesophase shared by both thermotropic LCs and LCLCs, of disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) was employed as the sensing mesogen in the LCLC-based biosensor. The biosensing platform was constructed so that the LCLC was homogeneously aligned by the planar anchoring strength of polyimide, but was disrupted in the presence of proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) or the cancer biomarker CA125 captured by the anti-CA125 antibody, with the level of disturbance (and the optical signal thus produced) predominated by the amount of the analyte. The concentration- and wavelength-dependent optical response was analyzed by transmission spectrometry in the visible light spectrum with parallel or crossed polarizers. The concentration of CA125 can be quantified with spectrometrically derived parameters in a linear calibration curve. The limit of detection for both BSA and CA125 of the LCLC-based biosensor was superior or comparable to that of thermotropic LC-based biosensing techniques. Our results provide, to the best of our knowledge, the first evidence that LCLCs can be applied in spectrometrically quantitative biosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassanein Shaban
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan;
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Engineering, The British University in Egypt, El Sherouk City 11837, Egypt
| | - Mon-Juan Lee
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science Industries, Chang Jung Christian University, Guiren District, Tainan 71101, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.-J.L.); (W.L.)
| | - Wei Lee
- Institute of Imaging and Biomedical Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (M.-J.L.); (W.L.)
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Wang S, Maruri DP, Boothby JM, Lu X, Rivera-Tarazona LK, Varner VD, Ware TH. Anisotropic, porous hydrogels templated by lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals. J Mater Chem B 2021; 8:6988-6998. [PMID: 32626869 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00904k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Approaches to control the microstructure of hydrogels enable the control of cell-material interactions and the design of stimuli-responsive materials. We report a versatile approach for the synthesis of anisotropic polyacrylamide hydrogels using lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal (LCLC) templating. The orientational order of LCLCs in a mold can be patterned by controlling surface anchoring conditions, which in turn patterns the polymer network. The resulting hydrogels have tunable pore size and mechanical anisotropy. For example, the elastic moduli measured parallel and perpendicular to the LCLC order are 124.9 ± 6.4 kPa and 17.4 ± 1.1 kPa for a single composition. The resulting anisotropic hydrogels also have 30% larger swelling normal to the LCLC orientation than along the LCLC orientation. By patterning the LCLC order, this anisotropic swelling can be used to create 3D hydrogel structures. These anisotropic gels can also be functionalized with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and used as compliant substrata for cell culture. As an illustrative example, we show that the patterned hydrogel microstructure can be used to direct the orientation of cultured human corneal fibroblasts. This strategy to make anisotropic hydrogels has potential for enabling patternable tissue scaffolds, soft robotics, or microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suitu Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA.
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Abstract
3D printing (also called "additive manufacturing" or "rapid prototyping") is able to translate computer-aided and designed virtual 3D models into 3D tangible constructs/objects through a layer-by-layer deposition approach. Since its introduction, 3D printing has aroused enormous interest among researchers and engineers to understand the fabrication process and composition-structure-property correlation of printed 3D objects and unleash its great potential for application in a variety of industrial sectors. Because of its unique technological advantages, 3D printing can definitely benefit the field of microrobotics and advance the design and development of functional microrobots in a customized manner. This review aims to present a generic overview of 3D printing for functional microrobots. The most applicable 3D printing techniques, with a focus on laser-based printing, are introduced for the 3D microfabrication of microrobots. 3D-printable materials for fabricating microrobots are reviewed in detail, including photopolymers, photo-crosslinkable hydrogels, and cell-laden hydrogels. The representative applications of 3D-printed microrobots with rational designs heretofore give evidence of how these printed microrobots are being exploited in the medical, environmental, and other relevant fields. A future outlook on the 3D printing of microrobots is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6, 16628, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6, 16628, Czech Republic. and Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 656/123, Brno, CZ-61600, Czech Republic and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00, Brno, Czech Republic and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
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13
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Abstract
Nematic and columnar phases of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) have been long studied for their fundamental and applied prospects in material science and medical diagnostics. LCLC phases represent different self-assembled states of disc-shaped molecules, held together by noncovalent interactions that lead to highly sensitive concentration and temperature dependent properties. Yet, microscale insights into confined LCLCs, specifically in the context of confinement geometry and surface properties, are lacking. Here, we report the emergence of time dependent textures in static disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) solutions, confined in PDMS-based microfluidic devices. We use a combination of soft lithography, surface characterization, and polarized optical imaging to generate and analyze the confinement-induced LCLC textures and demonstrate that over time, herringbone and spherulite textures emerge due to spontaneous nematic (N) to columnar M-phase transition, propagating from the LCLC-PDMS interface into the LCLC bulk. By varying the confinement geometry, anchoring conditions, and the initial DSCG concentration, we can systematically tune the temporal dynamics of the N- to M-phase transition and textural behavior of the confined LCLC. Overall, the time taken to change from nematic to the characteristic M-phase textures decreased as the confinement aspect ratio (width/depth) increased. For a given aspect ratio, the transition to the M-phase was generally faster in degenerate planar confinements, relative to the transition in homeotropic confinements. Since the static molecular states register the initial conditions for LC flows, the time dependent textures reported here suggest that the surface and confinement effects—even under static conditions—could be central in understanding the flow behavior of LCLCs and the associated transport properties of this versatile material.
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Park G, Čopar S, Suh A, Yang M, Tkalec U, Yoon DK. Periodic Arrays of Chiral Domains Generated from the Self-Assembly of Micropatterned Achiral Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2020; 6:1964-1970. [PMID: 33274273 PMCID: PMC7706096 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Achiral building blocks forming achiral structures is a common occurrence in nature, while chirality emerging spontaneously from an achiral system is usually associated with important scientific phenomena. We report on the spontaneous chiral symmetry-breaking phenomena upon the topographic confinement of achiral lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals in periodically arranged micrometer scale air pillars. The anisotropic fluid arranges into chiral domains that depend on the arrangement and spacing of the pillars. We characterize the resulting domains by polarized optical microscopy, support their reconstruction by numerical calculations, and extend the findings with experiments, which include chiral dopants. Well-controlled and addressed chiral structures will be useful in potential applications like programmable scaffolds for living liquid crystals and as sensors for detecting chirality at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geonhyeong Park
- Graduate
School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Simon Čopar
- Faculty
of Mathematics and Physics, University of
Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ahram Suh
- Graduate
School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Minyong Yang
- Graduate
School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Uroš Tkalec
- Institute
of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University
of Maribor, Koroška
160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Department
of Condensed Matter Physics, Jožef
Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- E-mail: (U. Tkalec)
| | - Dong Ki Yoon
- Graduate
School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea
Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department
of Chemistry and KINC, Korea Advanced Institute
of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- E-mail: (D.K. Yoon)
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15
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Guo Y, Shahsavan H, Sitti M. 3D Microstructures of Liquid Crystal Networks with Programmed Voxelated Director Fields. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2002753. [PMID: 32767434 PMCID: PMC7610484 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202002753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The shape-shifting behavior of liquid crystal networks (LCNs) and elastomers (LCEs) is a result of an interplay between their initial geometrical shape and their molecular alignment. For years, reliance on either one-step in situ or two-step film processing techniques has limited the shape-change transformations from 2D to 3D geometries. The combination of various fabrication techniques, alignment methods, and chemical formulations developed in recent years has introduced new opportunities to achieve 3D-to-3D shape-transformations in large scales, albeit the precise control of local molecular alignment in microscale 3D constructs remains a challenge. Here, the voxel-by-voxel encoding of nematic alignment in 3D microstructures of LCNs produced by two-photon polymerization using high-resolution topographical features is demonstrated. 3D LCN microstructures (suspended films, coils, and rings) with designable 2D and 3D director fields with a resolution of 5 µm are achieved. Different shape transformations of LCN microstructures with the same geometry but dissimilar molecular alignments upon actuation are elicited. This strategy offers higher freedom in the shape-change programming of 3D LCN microstructures and expands their applicability in emerging technologies, such as small-scale soft robots and devices and responsive surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hamed Shahsavan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
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Dhakal NP, Jiang J, Guo Y, Peng C. Self-Assembly of Aqueous Soft Matter Patterned by Liquid-Crystal Polymer Networks for Controlling the Dynamics of Bacteria. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:13680-13685. [PMID: 32118403 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The study of controlling the molecular self-assembly of aqueous soft matter is a fundamental scheme across multiple disciplines such as physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science. In this work, we use liquid-crystal polymer networks (LCNs) to control the superstructures of one aqueous soft material called lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs), which shows spontaneous orientational order by stacking the plank-like molecules into elongated aggregates. We synthesize a layer of patterned LCN films by a nematic liquid-crystal host in which the spatially varying molecular orientations are predesigned by plasmonic photopatterning. We demonstrate that the LCLC aggregates are oriented parallel to the polymer filaments of the LCN film. This patterned aqueous soft material shows immediate application for controlling the dynamics of swimming bacteria. The demonstrated control of the supramolecular assembly of aqueous soft matter by using a stimuli-responsive LCN film will find applications in designing dynamic advanced materials for bioengineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Netra Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Jinghua Jiang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
| | - Yubing Guo
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Chenhui Peng
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, United States
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17
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Shahsavan H, Aghakhani A, Zeng H, Guo Y, Davidson ZS, Priimagi A, Sitti M. Bioinspired underwater locomotion of light-driven liquid crystal gels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:5125-5133. [PMID: 32094173 PMCID: PMC7071923 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917952117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Soft-bodied aquatic invertebrates, such as sea slugs and snails, are capable of diverse locomotion modes under water. Recapitulation of such multimodal aquatic locomotion in small-scale soft robots is challenging, due to difficulties in precise spatiotemporal control of deformations and inefficient underwater actuation of existing stimuli-responsive materials. Solving this challenge and devising efficient untethered manipulation of soft stimuli-responsive materials in the aquatic environment would significantly broaden their application potential in biomedical devices. We mimic locomotion modes common to sea invertebrates using monolithic liquid crystal gels (LCGs) with inherent light responsiveness and molecular anisotropy. We elicit diverse underwater locomotion modes, such as crawling, walking, jumping, and swimming, by local deformations induced by selective spatiotemporal light illumination. Our results underpin the pivotal role of the physicomechanical properties of LCGs in the realization of diverse modes of light-driven robotic underwater locomotion. We envisage that our results will introduce a toolbox for designing efficient untethered soft robots for fluidic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Shahsavan
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Amirreza Aghakhani
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hao Zeng
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland
| | - Yubing Guo
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Zoey S Davidson
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Smart Photonic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany;
- School of Medicine, Koç University, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- School of Engineering, Koç University, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
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