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Zhang C, Fei G, Lu X, Xia H, Zhao Y. Liquid Crystal Elastomer Artificial Tendrils with Asymmetric Core-Sheath Structure Showing Evolutionary Biomimetic Locomotion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2307210. [PMID: 37805917 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307210] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The sophisticated and complex haptonastic movements in response to environmental-stimuli of living organisms have always fascinated scientists. However, how to fundamentally mimic the sophisticated hierarchical architectures of living organisms to provide the artificial counterparts with similar or even beyond-natural functions based on the underlying mechanism remains a major scientific challenge. Here, liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) artificial tendrils showing evolutionary biomimetic locomotion are developed following the structure-function principle that is used in nature to grow climbing plants. These elaborately designed tendril-like LCE actuators possess an asymmetric core-sheath architecture which shows a higher-to-lower transition in the degree of LC orientation from the sheath-to-core layer across the semi-ellipse cross-section. Upon heating and cooling, the LCE artificial tendril can undergo reversible tendril-like shape-morphing behaviors, such as helical coiling/winding, and perversion. The fundamental mechanism of the helical shape-morphing of the artificial tendril is revealed by using theoretical models and finite element simulations. Besides, the incorporation of metal-ligand coordination into the LCE network provides the artificial tendril with reconfigurable shape-morphing performances such as helical transitions and rotational deformations. Finally, the abilities of helical and rotational deformations are integrated into a new reprogrammed flagellum-like architecture to perform evolutionary locomotion mimicking the haptonastic movements of the natural flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Guoxia Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xili Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Hesheng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de chimie Université de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
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McDougall L, Herman J, Huntley E, Leguizamon S, Cook A, White T, Kaehr B, Roach DJ. Free-Form Liquid Crystal Elastomers via Embedded 4D Printing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:58897-58904. [PMID: 38084015 PMCID: PMC10739595 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a class of active materials that can generate rapid, reversible mechanical actuation in response to external stimuli. Fabrication methods for LCEs have remained a topic of intense research interest in recent years. One promising approach, termed 4D printing, combines the advantages of 3D printing with responsive materials, such as LCEs, to generate smart structures that not only possess user-defined static shapes but also can change their shape over time. To date, 4D-printed LCE structures have been limited to flat objects, restricting shape complexity and associated actuation for smart structure applications. In this work, we report the development of embedded 4D printing to extrude hydrophobic LCE ink into an aqueous, thixotropic gel matrix to produce free-standing, free-form 3D architectures without sacrificing the mechanical actuation properties. The ability to 4D print complex, free-standing 3D LCE architectures opens new avenues for the design and development of functional and responsive systems, such as reconfigurable metamaterials, soft robotics, or biomedical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke McDougall
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Jeremy Herman
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Emily Huntley
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Samuel Leguizamon
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Adam Cook
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Timothy White
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Bryan Kaehr
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Devin J. Roach
- Advanced
Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
- School
of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
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Tholen HM, Ambulo CP, Lee KM, Buskohl PR, Harne RL. Optomechanical computing in liquid crystal elastomers. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:6978-6986. [PMID: 37665593 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00819c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Embodied decision-making in soft, engineered matter has sparked recent interest towards the development of intelligent materials. Such decision-making capabilities can be realized in soft materials via digital information processing with combinational logic operations. Although previous research has explored soft material actuators and embedded logic in soft materials, achieving a high degree of autonomy in these material systems remains a challenge. Light is an ideal stimulus to trigger information processing in soft materials due to its low thermal effect and remote use. Thus, one approach for developing soft, autonomous materials is to integrate optomechanical computing capabilities in photoresponsive materials. Here, we establish a methodology to embed combinational logic circuitry in a photoresponsive liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) film. These LCEs are designed with embedded switches and integrated circuitry using liquid metal-based conductive traces. The resulting optomechanical computing LCEs can effectively process optical information via light, thermal, and mechanical energy conversion. The methods introduced in this work to fabricate a material capable of optical information processing can facilitate the implementation of a sense of sight in soft robotic systems and other compliant devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Tholen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Cedric P Ambulo
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH, USA
| | - Kyung Min Lee
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
- Azimuth Corporation, Fairborn, OH, USA
| | - Philip R Buskohl
- Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA
| | - Ryan L Harne
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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