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Jing S, Huang J, Wang H, Wang Y, Xie H, Zhou S. A Solvent-Templated Porous Liquid Crystal Elastomer with Tactile Sensation beyond Reversible Actuation toward Versatile Artificial Muscles. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 38692284 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), as a classical two-way shape-memory material, are good candidates for developing artificial muscles that mimic the contraction, expansion, or rotational behavior of natural muscles. However, biomimicry is currently focused more on the actuation functions of natural muscles dominated by muscle fibers, whereas the tactile sensing functions that are dominated by neuronal receptors and synapses have not been well captured. Very few studies have reported the sensing concept for LCEs, but the signals were still donated by macroscopic actuation, that is, variations in angle or length. Herein, we develop a conductive porous LCE (CPLCE) using a solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO))-templated photo-cross-linking strategy, followed by carbon nanotube (CNT) incorporation. The CPLCE has excellent reversible contraction/elongation behavior in a manner similar to the actuation functions of skeletal muscles. Moreover, the CPLCE shows excellent pressure-sensing performance by providing real-time electrical signals and is capable of microtouch sensing, which is very similar to natural tactile sensing. Furthermore, macroscopic actuation and tactile sensation can be integrated into a single system. Proof-of-concept studies reveal that the CPLCE-based artificial muscle is sensitive to external touch while maintaining its excellent actuation performance. The CPLCE with tactile sensation beyond reversible actuation is expected to benefit the development of versatile artificial muscles and intelligent robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirong Jing
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Jinhui Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Shaobing Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
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Jia Y, Qian J, Hao S, Zhang S, Wei F, Zheng H, Li Y, Song J, Zhao Z. New Prospects Arising from Dynamically Crosslinked Polymers: Reprogramming Their Properties. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313164. [PMID: 38577834 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Dynamically crosslinked polymers (DCPs) have gained significant attention owing to their applications in fabricating (re)processable, recyclable, and self-healable thermosets, which hold great promise in addressing ecological issues, such as plastic pollution and resource scarcity. However, the current research predominantly focuses on redefining and/or manipulating their geometries while replicating their bulk properties. Given the inherent design flexibility of dynamic covalent networks, DCPs also exhibit a remarkable potential for various novel applications through postsynthesis reprogramming their properties. In this review, the recent advancements in strategies that enable DCPs to transform their bulk properties after synthesis are presented. The underlying mechanisms and associated material properties are overviewed mainly through three distinct strategies, namely latent catalysts, material-growth, and topology isomerizable networks. Furthermore, the mutual relationship and impact of these strategies when integrated within one material system are also discussed. Finally, the application prospects and relevant issues necessitating further investigation, along with the potential solutions are analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchao Jia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Jingjing Qian
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Senyuan Hao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Fengchun Wei
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Hongjuan Zheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Yilong Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Song
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Ave., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, 100 Lianhua St., Zhengzhou, 450001, P. R. China
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Zhang C, Chen G, Zhang K, Jin B, Zhao Q, Xie T. Repeatedly Programmable Liquid Crystal Dielectric Elastomer with Multimodal Actuation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313078. [PMID: 38231117 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are actuatable under an electric field, whose large strain and fast response speed compare favorably with natural muscles. However, the actuation of DE-based devices is generally limited to a single mode and cannot be reconfigured after fabrication, which pales in comparison to biological counterparts given the ability to alter actuation modes according to external conditions. To address this, liquid crystal dielectric elastomers (LC-DEs) that can alter the dielectric actuation modes based on the thermally triggered shape-changing are prepared. Specifically, the two shapes through the LC phase transition possess different bending stiffness, which leads to distinct actuation modes after an electric field is applied. Moreover, the two shapes can be individually programmed/reprogrammed, that is, the one before the transition is regulated through force-directed solvent evaporation and the one after the transition is via bond exchange-enabled stress relaxation. As such, the multimodal dielectric actuation behaviors upon temperature change can be readily diversified. Meanwhile, the space charge mechanism endows LC-DEs with the significantly reduced driving e-field (8 V µm-1) and bidirectional actuation manners. It is believed this unique adaptivity in the actuation modes under a low electric field shall offer versatile designs for practical soft robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Guancong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kaihang Zhang
- Center for X-Mechanics, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Binjie Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Center for X-Mechanics, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, 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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