1
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Dombrowski M, Herbst M, Preisig N, Giesselmann F, Stubenrauch C. Time Dependence of Gel Formation in Lyotropic Nematic Liquid Crystals: From Hours to Weeks. Gels 2024; 10:261. [PMID: 38667680 PMCID: PMC11049373 DOI: 10.3390/gels10040261] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The combination of lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) and low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) for the formation of lyotropic liquid crystal gels (LLC gels) leads to a versatile and complex material combining properties of both parent systems. We gelled the calamitic nematic NC phases of a binary and ternary system using the LMWG 3,5-bis-(5-hexylcarbamoyl-pentoxy)-benzoic acid hexyl ester (BHPB-6). This binary system consists of the surfactant N,N-dimethyl-N-ethyl-1-hexadecylammonium bromide (CDEAB) and water, whereas the ternary system consists of the surfactant N,N,N-trimethyl-N-tetradecylammonium bromide (C14TAB), the cosurfactant n-decanol, and water. Though containing similar surfactants, the gelled NC phases of the binary and ternary systems show differences in their visual and gel properties. The gelled NC phase of the binary system remains clear for several days after preparation, whereas the gelled NC phase of the ternary system turns turbid within 24 h. We investigated the time evolution of the gel strength with oscillation rheology measurements (a) within the first 24 h and (b) up to two weeks after gel formation. The shape of the fibers was investigated over different time scales with freeze fracture electron microscopy (FFEM). We demonstrate that despite their similarities, the two LLC gels also have distinct differences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Cosima Stubenrauch
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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2
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Sultana S, Mandal R, Biradha K. Photo-responsive metal-organic gels of rigid phenylene-1,3-di-substituted angular dienes with metal halides: gel-to-gel transformations triggered by [2 + 2] polymerization. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:4797-4804. [PMID: 38372160 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00010b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Herein, the first report on gel-to-gel transformations via [2 + 2] photopolymerization in MOGs of metal halides and rigid dienes is presented. The MOGs and their xerogels show exceptional ability to undergo [2 + 2] polymerisation upon UV irradiation. Gel-to-gel transformations are very rare as the post-modification of gelators weakens the gel and transforms it to a sol. Such transformations change the molecular assemblies into gels with altered mechanical and chemical properties. These phenomena pave the way to synthesize new MOGs with improved rigidity that cannot be synthesized otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheen Sultana
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, India.
| | - Rajorshi Mandal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, India.
| | - Kumar Biradha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, India.
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3
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Yun R, Che J, Liu Z, Yan X, Qi M. A novel electric stimulus-responsive micro-actuator for powerful biomimetic motions. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:12933-12943. [PMID: 37482766 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr01866k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Limited by the surface-to-volume ratio of structural materials, it is a great challenge to achieve high output performance in a millimetre-sized actuator. Traditional rigid actuators can achieve higher vibration frequencies above the centimetre size, but their working performance will be greatly reduced below the millimetre size, and even cannot maintain the vibration. A micro-actuator is highly essential for the miniaturisation of bionic robots. In this work, we present a novel driving principle by utilising the plasmonic thermal energy generated by electric stimulation to drive the vibration of the micro-actuator. In the design, the micro-actuator is composed of two chambers and elastic elements, which is similar to the design of a micro-piston. By utilising the thermal energy of the plasma, the actuator can generate high-frequency vibration (resonant frequency of 140 Hz), and the simple structural design can achieve a large vibration amplitude on a millimetre scale. Based on this powerful actuator, several applications are presented, such as fast crawling and jumping. The good performance of the electric stimulus-responsive micro-actuator suggests promising applications ranging from millimetre-scale robots in confined spaces to detection, search and rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruide Yun
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jingyu Che
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaojun Yan
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
| | - Mingjing Qi
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
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4
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Dradrach K, Zmyślony M, Deng Z, Priimagi A, Biggins J, Wasylczyk P. Light-driven peristaltic pumping by an actuating splay-bend strip. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1877. [PMID: 37015926 PMCID: PMC10073117 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37445-5] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite spectacular progress in microfluidics, small-scale liquid manipulation, with few exceptions, is still driven by external pumps and controlled by large-scale valves, increasing cost and size and limiting complexity. By contrast, optofluidics uses light to power, control and monitor liquid manipulation, potentially allowing for small, self-contained microfluidic devices. Here we demonstrate a soft light-propelled actuator made of liquid crystal gel that pumps microlitre volumes of water. The strip of actuating material serves as both a pump and a channel leading to an extremely simple microfluidic architecture that is both powered and controlled by light. The performance of the pump is well explained by a simple theoretical model in which the light-induced bending of the actuator competes with the liquid's surface tension. The theory highlights that effective pumping requires a threshold light intensity and strip width. The proposed system explores the benefits of shifting the complexity of microfluidic systems from the fabricated device to spatio-temporal control over stimulating light patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Dradrach
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
- Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Michał Zmyślony
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Zixuan Deng
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Arri Priimagi
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - John Biggins
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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5
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Bauman GE, Hoang JD, Toney MF, White TJ. Degree of Orientation in Liquid Crystalline Elastomers Defines the Magnitude and Rate of Actuation. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:248-254. [PMID: 36715430 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The anisotropy of liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) is derived from the interaction-facilitated orientation of the molecular constituents. Here, we correlate the thermomechanical response of a series of LCEs subjected to mechanical alignment to measurements of the Hermans orientation parameter. The LCEs were systematically prepared with varying concentrations of liquid crystalline mesogens, which affects the relative degree of achievable order. These compositions were subject to varying degrees of mechanical alignment to prepare LCEs with orientations that span a wide range of orientation parameters. The stimuli-response of the LCEs indicates that the liquid crystalline content defines the temperature of actuation, whereas the orientation parameter of the LCE is intricately correlated to both the total actuation strain of the LCE as well as the rate of thermomechanical response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant E Bauman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Jonathan D Hoang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, 613 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Michael F Toney
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, 613 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States.,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, 027 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 596 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States.,Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, 613 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
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6
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Ruan H, Jiang Q, Qiu Y, Zhang Y, Liao Y, Xie X. Balancing Compatibility and Gelability for High-Performance Cholesteric Liquid Crystalline Physical Gels. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:771-779. [PMID: 36595360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline physical gels (LCPGs) have attracted increasing interest because of their mechanical properties and stimulus-response behaviors. However, due to their gelator properties such as thermal stability, gelation capability, and compatibility in liquid crystals, development of LCPGs with high performances still remains a huge challenging task. Herein, four novel gelators ((l)-PH, (d)-PH, (l)-P2H, and (d)-P2H) based on 1,4-benzenedicarboxamide phenylalanine derivatives containing one or two ethylene glycol groups have been designed and synthesized. It is found that the ethylene glycol group plays a significant role in improving the compatibility between the gelator and the liquid crystal. All of the prepared compounds can form stable LCPGs in P0616A. In particular, the storage modulus of LCPG with 9.0 wt % of (l)-PH with one ethylene glycol unit is higher than 106 Pa, which is similar to SmC gels and advantageous over previously reported nematic LCPGs. Furthermore, the prepared gels display a strong Cotton effect with hand-preferred twisted fiber networks and the self-assembled aggregates of (l)-PH can induce P0616A to form a cholesteric fingerprint structure. Thus, these low molecular weight gelators provide a strategy to construct high-performance cholesteric LCPGs for the realization of LC device applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Yuan Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Yonggui Liao
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
- National Anti-Counterfeit Engineering Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Xiaolin Xie
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
- National Anti-Counterfeit Engineering Research Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan430074, China
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7
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Kumar P, Bala I, De R, Kumar Pal S, Venkataramani S. Light Modulated Reversible "On-Off" Transformation of Arylazoheteroarene Based Discotics in Nematic Organization. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202202876. [PMID: 36205928 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202202876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Three benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) core-based molecular systems appended with phenylazo-3,5-dimethylisoxazole photoswitches at the peripheral position through variable-length alkoxy chains have been designed and synthesized. The supramolecular interactions of the mesogens provided discotic nematic liquid crystalline assembly as confirmed by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Spectroscopic studies confirmed the reversible photoswitching and excellent thermal stability of the photoswitched states in solution phase and thin film. Also, atomic force microscopic (AFM) and POM investigations demonstrated the morphological changes in the self-assembly induced by the photoirradiation as monitored by the changes in the height profiles and optical appearance of the textures, respectively. Remarkably, the liquid crystalline discotic molecules showed reversible "on and off states" controlled by light at ambient temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravesh Kumar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Knowledge City Manauli, 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Indu Bala
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Knowledge City Manauli, 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Ritobrata De
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Knowledge City Manauli, 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Santanu Kumar Pal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Knowledge City Manauli, 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Sugumar Venkataramani
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Knowledge City Manauli, 140306, Punjab, India
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8
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Shape Memory Polymers as Smart Materials: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14173511. [PMID: 36080587 PMCID: PMC9460797 DOI: 10.3390/polym14173511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymer smart materials are a broad class of polymeric materials that can change their shapes, mechanical responses, light transmissions, controlled releases, and other functional properties under external stimuli. A good understanding of the aspects controlling various types of shape memory phenomena in shape memory polymers (SMPs), such as polymer structure, stimulus effect and many others, is not only important for the preparation of new SMPs with improved performance, but is also useful for the optimization of the current ones to expand their application field. In the present era, simple understanding of the activation mechanisms, the polymer structure, the effect of the modification of the polymer structure on the activation process using fillers or solvents to develop new reliable SMPs with improved properties, long lifetime, fast response, and the ability to apply them under hard conditions in any environment, is considered to be an important topic. Moreover, good understanding of the activation mechanism of the two-way shape memory effect in SMPs for semi-crystalline polymers and liquid crystalline elastomers is the main key required for future investigations. In this article, the principles of the three basic types of external stimuli (heat, chemicals, light) and their key parameters that affect the efficiency of the SMPs are reviewed in addition to several prospective applications.
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9
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Javed M, Corazao T, Saed MO, Ambulo CP, Li Y, Kessler MR, Ware TH. Programmable Shape Change in Semicrystalline Liquid Crystal Elastomers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:35087-35096. [PMID: 35866446 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c07533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli-responsive materials capable of reversible and programmable shape change in response to an environmental stimulus. Despite the highly responsive nature of these materials, the modest elastic modulus and blocking stress exhibited by these actuating materials can be limiting in some engineering applications. Here, we engineer a semicrystalline LCE, where the incorporation of semicrystallinity in a lightly cross-linked liquid crystalline network yields tough and highly responsive materials. Directed self-assembly can be employed to program director profiles through the thickness of the semicrystalline LCE. In short, we use the alignment of a liquid crystal monomer phase to pattern the anisotropy of a semicrystalline polymer network. Both the semicrystalline-liquid crystalline and liquid crystalline-isotropic phase transition temperatures provide controllable shape transformations. A planarly aligned sample's normalized dimension parallel to the nematic director decreases from 1 at room temperature to 0.42 at 250 °C. The introduction of the semicrystalline nature also enhances the mechanical properties exhibited by the semicrystalline LCE. Semicrystalline LCEs have a storage modulus of 390 MPa at room temperature, and monodomain samples are capable of generating a contractile stress of 2.7 MPa on heating from 25 to 50 °C, far below the nematic to isotropic transition temperature. The robust mechanical properties of this material combined with the high actuation strain can be leveraged for applications such as soft robotics and actuators capable of doing significant work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahjabeen Javed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Tyler Corazao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | | | - Cedric P Ambulo
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Dayton, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Yuzhan Li
- University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Michael R Kessler
- North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Taylor H Ware
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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10
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Maksimkin AV, Dayyoub T, Telyshev DV, Gerasimenko AY. Electroactive Polymer-Based Composites for Artificial Muscle-like Actuators: A Review. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12132272. [PMID: 35808110 PMCID: PMC9268644 DOI: 10.3390/nano12132272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Unlike traditional actuators, such as piezoelectric ceramic or metallic actuators, polymer actuators are currently attracting more interest in biomedicine due to their unique properties, such as light weight, easy processing, biodegradability, fast response, large active strains, and good mechanical properties. They can be actuated under external stimuli, such as chemical (pH changes), electric, humidity, light, temperature, and magnetic field. Electroactive polymers (EAPs), called ‘artificial muscles’, can be activated by an electric stimulus, and fixed into a temporary shape. Restoring their permanent shape after the release of an electrical field, electroactive polymer is considered the most attractive actuator type because of its high suitability for prosthetics and soft robotics applications. However, robust control, modeling non-linear behavior, and scalable fabrication are considered the most critical challenges for applying the soft robotic systems in real conditions. Researchers from around the world investigate the scientific and engineering foundations of polymer actuators, especially the principles of their work, for the purpose of a better control of their capability and durability. The activation method of actuators and the realization of required mechanical properties are the main restrictions on using actuators in real applications. The latest highlights, operating principles, perspectives, and challenges of electroactive materials (EAPs) such as dielectric EAPs, ferroelectric polymers, electrostrictive graft elastomers, liquid crystal elastomers, ionic gels, and ionic polymer–metal composites are reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey V. Maksimkin
- Institute for Bionic Technologies and Engineering, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street 2-4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.T.); (A.Y.G.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Tarek Dayyoub
- Institute for Bionic Technologies and Engineering, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street 2-4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.T.); (A.Y.G.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Dmitry V. Telyshev
- Institute for Bionic Technologies and Engineering, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street 2-4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.T.); (A.Y.G.)
- Institute of Biomedical Systems, National Research University of Electronic Technology, 124498 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Yu. Gerasimenko
- Institute for Bionic Technologies and Engineering, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street 2-4, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.T.); (A.Y.G.)
- Institute of Biomedical Systems, National Research University of Electronic Technology, 124498 Moscow, Russia
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11
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Chi Y, Li Y, Zhao Y, Hong Y, Tang Y, Yin J. Bistable and Multistable Actuators for Soft Robots: Structures, Materials, and Functionalities. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2110384. [PMID: 35172026 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Snap-through bistability is often observed in nature (e.g., fast snapping to closure of Venus flytrap) and the life (e.g., bottle caps and hair clippers). Recently, harnessing bistability and multistability in different structures and soft materials has attracted growing interest for high-performance soft actuators and soft robots. They have demonstrated broad and unique applications in high-speed locomotion on land and under water, adaptive sensing and fast grasping, shape reconfiguration, electronics-free controls with a single input, and logic computation. Here, an overview of integrating bistable and multistable structures with soft actuating materials for diverse soft actuators and soft/flexible robots is given. The mechanics-guided structural design principles for five categories of basic bistable elements from 1D to 3D (i.e., constrained beams, curved plates, dome shells, compliant mechanisms of linkages with flexible hinges and deformable origami, and balloon structures) are first presented, alongside brief discussions of typical soft actuating materials (i.e., fluidic elastomers and stimuli-responsive materials such as electro-, photo-, thermo-, magnetic-, and hydro-responsive polymers). Following that, integrating these soft materials with each category of bistable elements for soft bistable and multistable actuators and their diverse robotic applications are discussed. To conclude, perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in this emerging field are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinding Chi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Yanbin Li
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Yao Zhao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Yaoye Hong
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Yichao Tang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jie Yin
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
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12
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Akram A, Shahzady TG, Hussain S, Saad NA, Islam MT, Ikram M. Liquid Crystal Polymers: Overview of Characteristics and Applications in Communication and Biomedical Technologies. RUSS J APPL CHEM+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s107042722112003x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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13
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Liu Z, Wang H, Zhou C. The Effect of Phenyl Content on the Liquid Crystal-Based Organosilicone Elastomers with Mechanical Adaptability. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14050903. [PMID: 35267724 PMCID: PMC8912632 DOI: 10.3390/polym14050903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
An elastomer with mechanical adaptability is a new kind of polymer material in which the increasing stress under continuous deformation is significantly inhibited in a large deformation area. Liquid crystal-based organosilicone elastomers, which can dissipate energy through reversible internal phase transition under external stimulation and have recoverable large deformation capacity, have drawn much interest as mechanical adaptability materials. However, there is no good way to control the mechanical adaptability at present. For this purpose, we prepared a new liquid crystal-based phenyl silicone rubber (LCMVPQ) using two-step click reactions and systematically explored the effect of phenyl content on its mechanical adaptability to achieve the regulation of mechanical adaptability. With an increase in phenyl content in the LCMVPQs, phenyl can hinder the rearrangement of the mesogenic units along the applied stress direction, which enables the adjustment of mechanical adaptability to meet the needs of different situations. In addition, the introduction of the liquid crystal phase impedes the internal friction of the molecular chain movement of the LCMVPQs and reduces the damping performance of silicone rubber. This research achieves the regulation of elastomers with mechanical adaptability and is expected to be applied in practical application fields.
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14
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Karothu DP, Mahmoud Halabi J, Ahmed E, Ferreira R, Spackman PR, Spackman MA, Naumov P. Global Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Organic Crystals. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202113988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Durga Prasad Karothu
- Smart Materials Lab New York University Abu Dhabi PO Box 129188 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
| | - Jad Mahmoud Halabi
- Smart Materials Lab New York University Abu Dhabi PO Box 129188 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
| | - Ejaz Ahmed
- Smart Materials Lab New York University Abu Dhabi PO Box 129188 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
| | - Rodrigo Ferreira
- Smart Materials Lab New York University Abu Dhabi PO Box 129188 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
| | - Peter R. Spackman
- The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway 6009 Perth Australia
- Current address: Curtin Institute for Computation School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University PO Box U1987 Perth Western Australia 6845 Australia
| | - Mark A. Spackman
- The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway 6009 Perth Australia
| | - Panče Naumov
- Smart Materials Lab New York University Abu Dhabi PO Box 129188 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
- Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Harvard University 10 Garden St. Cambridge MA 02138 USA
- Molecular Design Institute Department of Chemistry New York University 100 Washington Square East New York NY 10003 USA
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15
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Luo C, Chung C, Yakacki CM, Long K, Yu K. Real-Time Alignment and Reorientation of Polymer Chains in Liquid Crystal Elastomers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:1961-1972. [PMID: 34931796 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) exhibit soft elasticity due to the alignment and reorientation of mesogens upon mechanical loading, which provides additional mechanisms to absorb and dissipate energy. This enhanced response makes LCEs potentially transformative materials for biomedical devices, tissue replacements, and protective equipment. However, there is a critical knowledge gap in understanding the highly rate-dependent dissipative behaviors of LCEs due to the lack of real-time characterization techniques that probe the microscale network structure and link it to the mechanical deformation of LCEs. In this work, we employ in situ optical measurements to evaluate the alignment and reorientation degree of mesogens in LCEs. The data are correlated to the quantitative physical analysis using polarized Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The time scale of mesogen alignment is determined at different strain levels and loading rates. The mesogen reorientation kinetics is characterized to establish its relationship with the macroscale tensile strain, and compared to theoretical predictions. Overall, this work provides the first detailed study on the time-dependent evolution of mesogen alignment and reorientation in deformed LCEs. It also provides an effective and more accessible approach for other researchers to investigate the structural-property relationships of different types of polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqian Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Christopher Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Christopher M Yakacki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Kevin Long
- Materials and Failure Modeling Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, United States
| | - Kai Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
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16
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Karothu DP, Halabi JM, Ahmed E, Ferreira R, Spackman PR, Spackman MA, Naumov P. Global Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Organic Crystals. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202113988. [PMID: 34845806 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202113988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Organic crystals, although widely studied, have not been considered nascent candidate materials in the engineering design. Here we summarize the reported mechanical properties of organic crystals reported over the past three decades, and we establish a global mechanical property profile that can be used to predict and identify mechanically robust organic crystals. Being composed of light elements, organic crystals populate a narrow region in the mechanical property-density space between soft, disordered organic materials and stiff, ordered materials. Two subsets of extraordinarily stiff and hard organic crystalline materials were identified and rationalized by the normalized number density, strength and directionality of their intermolecular interactions. We conclude that the future light-weight, soft, all-organic components in devices should capitalize on the combination of long-range structural order and softness as the greatest asset of organic single crystals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ejaz Ahmed
- New York University - Abu Dhabi Campus, Science, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
| | - Rodrigo Ferreira
- New York University - Abu Dhabi Campus, Science, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
| | | | | | - Pance Naumov
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Division of Science and Mathematics, Saadiyat Island, 00000, Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
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17
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Panja SK, Patra S, Bag BG. Self-assembly of the monohydroxy triterpenoid lupeol yielding nano-fibers, sheets and gel: environmental and drug delivery applications. RSC Adv 2021; 11:33500-33510. [PMID: 35497535 PMCID: PMC9042272 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra06137b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lupeol is a medicinally important naturally abundant triterpenoid having a 6-6-6-6-5 fused pentacyclic backbone and one polar secondary "-OH" group at the C3 position of the "A" ring. It was extracted from the dried outer bark of Bombax ceiba and its self-assembly properties were investigated in different neat organic as well as aquous-organic binary liquid mixtures. The triterpenoid having only one polar "-OH" group and a rigid lipophilic backbone self-assembled in neat organic non-polar liquids like n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane and polar liquids like DMSO, DMF, DMSO-H2O, DMF-H2O, and EtOH-H2O yielding supramolecular gels via formation of nano to micrometre long self-assembled fibrillar networks (SAFINs). Morphological investigation of the self-assemblies was carried out by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, concentration dependent FTIR and wide angle X-ray diffraction studies. The mechanical properties of the gels were studied by concentration dependent rheological studies in different solvents. The gels were capable of removing toxic micro-pollutants like rhodamine-B and 5,6-carboxyfluorescein as well as the toxic heavy metal Cr(vi) from contaminated water. Moreover release of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin from a drug loaded gel in PBS buffer at pH 7.2 has also been demonstrated by spectrophotometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikat Kumar Panja
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Vidyasagar University Midnapore 721102 West Bengal India
| | - Soumen Patra
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Vidyasagar University Midnapore 721102 West Bengal India
| | - Braja Gopal Bag
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Vidyasagar University Midnapore 721102 West Bengal India
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18
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Environmentally Stable Chiral-Nematic Liquid-Crystal Elastomers with Mechano-Optical Properties. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11115037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chiral-nematic liquid crystal (N* LC) elastomers exhibit mechano-optical responsive behavior. However, practical sensor applications have been limited by the intrinsic sensitivity of N* LC elastomers to environmental conditions, such as temperature. Although densely cross-linked LC network polymers exhibit high thermal stability, they are not proper for the mechanical sensor due to high glass transition temperatures and low flexibility. To overcome these issues, we focused on enhancing thermal stability by introducing noncovalent cross-linking sites via intermolecular interactions between LC molecules bonded to the polymer network. N* LC elastomers with a cyanobiphenyl derivative as a side-chain mesogen exhibited mechano-optical responsive behavior, with a hypsochromic shift of the reflection peak wavelength under an applied tensile strain and quick shape and color recovery owing to high elasticity. Notably, the N* LC elastomers showed high resistance to harsh environments, including high temperatures and various solvents. Interactions, such as π–π stacking and dipole–dipole interactions, between the cyanobiphenyl units can act as weak cross-links, thus improving the thermal stability of the LC phase without affecting the mechano-optical response. Thus, these N* LC elastomers have great potential for the realization of practical mechano-optical sensors.
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19
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Luo C, Chung C, Traugutt NA, Yakacki CM, Long KN, Yu K. 3D Printing of Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foams for Enhanced Energy Dissipation Under Mechanical Insult. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:12698-12708. [PMID: 33369399 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c17538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Polymer foams are an essential class of lightweight materials used to protect assets against mechanical insults, such as shock and vibration. Two features are important to enhance their energy absorption characteristics: the foam structure and the matrix phase mechanical behavior. This study investigates novel approaches to control both of these features to enhance the energy absorption capability of flexible lattice foams. First, we consider 3D printing via digital light processing (DLP) as a method to control the foam mesostructure across a suite of periodic unit cells. Second, we introduce an additional energy dissipation mechanism in the solid matrix phase material by 3D printing the lattice foams with polydomain liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), which undergo a mechanically induced phase transition under large strains. This phase transition is associated with LC mesogen rotation and alignment and provides a second mechanism for mechanical energy dissipation in addition to the viscoelastic relaxation of the polymer network. We contrast the 3D printed LCE lattices with conventional, thermomechanically near-equivalent elastomer lattice foams to quantify the energy-absorbing enhancement the LCE matrix phase provides. Under cyclic quasi-static uniaxial compression conditions, the LCE lattices show dramatically enhanced energy dissipation in uniaxial compression compared to the non-LCE equivalent foams printed with a commercially available photocurable elastomer resin. The lattice geometry also plays a prominent role in determining the energy dissipation ratio between the LCE and non-LCE foams. We show that when increasing the lattice connectivity, the foam deformation transitions from bending-dominated to stretching-dominated deformations, which generates higher axial strains in the struts and higher energy dissipation in the lattice foam, as stretching allows greater mesogen rotation than bending. The LCE foams demonstrate superior energy absorption during the repeated dynamic loading during drop testing compared with the non-LCE equivalent foams, demonstrating the potential of LCEs to enhance physical protection systems against mechanical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqian Luo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Christopher Chung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Nicholas A Traugutt
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Christopher M Yakacki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
| | - Kevin N Long
- Materials and Failure Modeling Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, United States
| | - Kai Yu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado 80217, United States
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20
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Rešetič A, Milavec J, Domenici V, Zupančič B, Bubnov A, Zalar B. Deuteron NMR investigation on orientational order parameter in polymer dispersed liquid crystal elastomers. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:23064-23072. [PMID: 33047744 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp04143b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers have been recently introduced as a thermomechanically active composite material, consisting of magnetically oriented liquid crystal elastomer particles incorporated in a cured polymer matrix. Their thermomechanical properties are largely governed by the degree of imprinted particle alignment, which can be assessed by means of deuterium perturbed 2H-NMR. Spectra of samples with various degrees of imprinted particle alignment were recorded and the results simulated using the discrete reorientational exchange model developed for determining the dispersion of liquid crystal elastomer's domain orientational distribution. We show that the model can be applied to measure the orientational distribution of embedded liquid crystal microparticles and successfully determine the orientational order parameter in the composite system. Thermomechanical measurements correlate well with the obtained results, thus additionally confirming the validity of the applied method.
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Affiliation(s)
- AndraŽ Rešetič
- J. Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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21
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Bag BG, Barai AC. Self-assembly of naturally occurring stigmasterol in liquids yielding a fibrillar network and gel. RSC Adv 2020; 10:4755-4762. [PMID: 35495245 PMCID: PMC9049162 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra10376g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Stigmasterol extracted from the leaves of Roscoea purpurea spontaneously self-assembled in liquids yielding a fibrillar network and gel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braja Gopal Bag
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
- Vidyasagar University
- India
| | - Abir Chandan Barai
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
- Vidyasagar University
- India
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22
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Dieterich S, Sottmann T, Giesselmann F. Gelation of Lyotropic Liquid-Crystal Phases-The Interplay between Liquid Crystalline Order and Physical Gel Formation. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2019; 35:16793-16802. [PMID: 31621334 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b02621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We present a systematical investigation of gelled lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs). This new class of soft materials combines the anisotropy of LLCs with the mechanical stability of a physical gel. The studied LLC system consists of sodium dodecyl sulfate as a surfactant, n-decanol as a cosurfactant, and water as a solvent. At room temperature, four liquid crystalline phases (lamellar Lα, nematic Nd and Nc, and hexagonal H1) are formed depending on the composition. We were successful in gelling the lyotropic lamellar phase with the low-molecular-weight organogelator 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid (12-HOA). The obtained gelled lamellar phase shows optical birefringence, elastic response, and no macroscopic flow. However, we were not able to obtain gels with hexagonal or nematic structure. These findings can be explained twofold. When gelling the hexagonal phase, the long-range hexagonal order was destroyed and an isotropic gel was formed. The reason might be the incompatibility between the gel fiber network and the two-dimensional long-range translational order of the cylindrical micelles in the hexagonal phase. Otherwise, the lyotropic nematic phase was transformed into an anisotropic gel with the lamellar structure during gelation. Evidently, the addition of the gelator 12-HOA to the lyotropic system considerably widens the lamellar regime because the integration of the surface-active 12-HOA gelator molecules into the nematic micelles flattens out the micelle curvature. We further investigated the successfully gelated Lα phase to examine the impacts of the gel network and the remaining monomeric gelator on both the structure and properties of the gelled lamellar phase. Small-angle X-ray scattering results showed an arrested lamellar layer spacing in the gelled state, which indicates a higher translational order for the gelled lamellar phases in comparison with their gelator-free counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Dieterich
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , University of Stuttgart , Pfaffenwaldring 55 , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Thomas Sottmann
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , University of Stuttgart , Pfaffenwaldring 55 , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
| | - Frank Giesselmann
- Institute of Physical Chemistry , University of Stuttgart , Pfaffenwaldring 55 , 70569 Stuttgart , Germany
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23
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Doi H, Takahashi KZ, Tagashira K, Fukuda JI, Aoyagi T. Machine learning-aided analysis for complex local structure of liquid crystal polymers. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16370. [PMID: 31705002 PMCID: PMC6841663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51238-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidation of mesoscopic structures of molecular systems is of considerable scientific and technological interest for the development and optimization of advanced materials. Molecular dynamics simulations are a promising means of revealing macroscopic physical properties of materials from a microscopic viewpoint, but analysis of the resulting complex mesoscopic structures from microscopic information is a non-trivial and challenging task. In this study, a Machine Learning-aided Local Structure Analyzer (ML-LSA) is developed to classify the complex local mesoscopic structures of molecules that have not only simple atomistic group units but also rigid anisotropic functional groups such as mesogens. The proposed ML-LSA is applied to classifying the local structures of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) systems, which are of considerable scientific and technological interest because of their potential for sensors and soft actuators. A machine learning (ML) model is constructed from small, and thus computationally less costly, monodomain LCP trajectories. The ML model can distinguish nematic- and smectic-like monodomain structures with high accuracy. The ML-LSA is applied to large, complex quenched LCP structures, and the complex local structures are successfully classified as either nematic- or smectic-like. Furthermore, the results of the ML-LSA suggest the best order parameter for distinguishing the two mesogenic structures. Our ML model enables automatic and systematic analysis of the mesogenic structures without prior knowledge, and thus can overcome the difficulty of manually determining the specific order parameter required for the classification of complex structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Doi
- Research Center for Computational Design of Advanced Functional Materials, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Z Takahashi
- Research Center for Computational Design of Advanced Functional Materials, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan.
| | - Kenji Tagashira
- Research Association of High-Throughput Design and Development for Advanced Functional Materials, Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Fukuda
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Takeshi Aoyagi
- Research Center for Computational Design of Advanced Functional Materials, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8568, Japan
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24
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Low-frequency dielectric spectroscopy and distinct relaxation modes in smectic phases of liquid crystal dimers. J Mol Liq 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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25
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Xu Y, Atrens AD, Stokes JR. Liquid crystal hydroglass formed via phase separation of nanocellulose colloidal rods. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:1716-1720. [PMID: 30638248 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm02288g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A new anisotropic soft material - a liquid crystal 'hydroglass' (LCH) - is created from aqueous suspensions of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) colloidal rods. Under specific conditions, the NCC suspension separates into a colloid-rich attractive glass matrix phase and a coexisting liquid crystal phase. LCH provides similar viscoelastic properties to polymer and colloidal gels, but permits reversibly-orientating the colloidal rods through shear forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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26
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Wang Y, Burke KA. Phase behavior of main-chain liquid crystalline polymer networks synthesized by alkyne-azide cycloaddition chemistry. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:9885-9900. [PMID: 30511082 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01913d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline polymer networks (LCNs) couple polymer chain organization to molecular ordering, the switching of which has been shown to impart stimuli-responsive properties, including actuation and one-way shape memory, to the networks. While LCNs have long been proposed as artificial muscles, recent reports have also suggested potential as dynamic biomaterial substrates. In contrast to many existing LCNs synthesized using hydrophobic spacers, this work investigates networks synthesized using more hydrophilic spacers to promote interaction with water. A challenge with such materials is liquid crystalline phases could be disrupted in hydrated networks. This work thus investigates the impact of polyether spacers and mesogen composition on the phase behavior of LCNs. Main-chain LCNs were synthesized using alkyne-azide cycloaddition ("click" chemistry), where two different mesogens (5yH and 5yMe) and a non-LC monomer (5yTe) were coupled with one of two different polyether spacers, poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol), and a crosslinker. The chemistry led to high gel fraction materials, the workup of which resulted in networks that displayed no difference in cellular toxicity due to leachable components compared to tissue culture plastic control. Calorimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and X-ray scattering revealed the LC microstructure and temperature-responsive properties of the networks. The use of low molecular weight polyether spacers was found to prevent their crystallization within the LC network, and adjusting mesogen composition to enhance its LC phase stability allowed the use of spacers with larger molecular weights and pendant groups. Hydrated networks were found to rearrange their structure compared to dry networks, while maintaining their LC phases. Like other crosslinked LC materials, the networks display shape changes (actuation) that are tied to changes in LC ordering. The result is a new synthetic approach for polydomain networks that form stable LC phases that are tailorable using polyether spacers and may enable future application as hydrated, stimuli-responsive materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjian Wang
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, 191 Auditorium Road Unit 3222, Storrs, CT 06269-3222, USA.
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27
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Prévôt ME, Ustunel S, Hegmann E. Liquid Crystal Elastomers-A Path to Biocompatible and Biodegradable 3D-LCE Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 11:E377. [PMID: 29510523 PMCID: PMC5872956 DOI: 10.3390/ma11030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The development of appropriate materials that can make breakthroughs in tissue engineering has long been pursued by the scientific community. Several types of material have been long tested and re-designed for this purpose. At the same time, liquid crystals (LCs) have captivated the scientific community since their discovery in 1888 and soon after were thought to be, in combination with polymers, artificial muscles. Within the past decade liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) have been attracting increasing interest for their use as smart advanced materials for biological applications. Here, we examine how LCEs can potentially be used as dynamic substrates for culturing cells, moving away from the classical two-dimensional cell-culture nature. We also briefly discuss the integration of a few technologies for the preparation of more sophisticated LCE-composite scaffolds for more dynamic biomaterials. The anisotropic properties of LCEs can be used not only to promote cell attachment and the proliferation of cells, but also to promote cell alignment under LCE-stimulated deformation. 3D LCEs are ideal materials for new insights to simulate and study the development of tissues and the complex interplay between cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E Prévôt
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Senay Ustunel
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program (CPIP), Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Elda Hegmann
- Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program (CPIP), Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
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28
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Jones CD, Steed JW. Gels with sense: supramolecular materials that respond to heat, light and sound. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 45:6546-6596. [PMID: 27711667 DOI: 10.1039/c6cs00435k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Advances in the field of supramolecular chemistry have made it possible, in many situations, to reliably engineer soft materials to address a specific technological problem. Particularly exciting are "smart" gels that undergo reversible physical changes on exposure to remote, non-invasive environmental stimuli. This review explores the development of gels which are transformed by heat, light and ultrasound, as well as other mechanical inputs, applied voltages and magnetic fields. Focusing on small-molecule gelators, but with reference to organic polymers and metal-organic systems, we examine how the structures of gelator assemblies influence the physical and chemical mechanisms leading to thermo-, photo- and mechano-switchable behaviour. In addition, we evaluate how the unique and versatile properties of smart materials may be exploited in a wide range of applications, including catalysis, crystal growth, ion sensing, drug delivery, data storage and biomaterial replacement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonathan W Steed
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, DH1 3LE, UK.
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29
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Development of Coarse-Grained Liquid-Crystal Polymer Model with Efficient Electrostatic Interaction: Toward Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Electroactive Materials. MATERIALS 2018; 11:ma11010083. [PMID: 29316621 PMCID: PMC5793581 DOI: 10.3390/ma11010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) are well known materials for functional sensor and actuators, because of their high-responsiveness to an electric field. Owing to their complex physical nature, however, the prediction of the functions of LCPs is a challenge. To attack this problem from a molecular point of view, a simulation study is a promising approach. In this work, for future applications of molecular dynamics simulations to problems involving an electric field, we develop an LCP model which consists of coarse-grained mesogenic molecules and smeared charges. For the smearing function of the electrostatic force, the Gauss error function is introduced. This smearing is optimized to attain a reasonable accuracy for phase transition phenomena of liquid crystal while numerical instabilities arising from the singularity of the Coulomb potential are circumvented. For swelling systems, our LCP model exhibits the characteristics of both liquid crystals and unentangled polymer chains; orientational order of the mesogenic units and Rouse-like relaxation dynamics. Our coarse-grained LCP model successfully incorporates electric charges and dipoles and is therefore applicable to problems concerning an electric field.
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30
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Godman NP, Kowalski BA, Auguste AD, Koerner H, White TJ. Synthesis of Elastomeric Liquid Crystalline Polymer Networks via Chain Transfer. ACS Macro Lett 2017; 6:1290-1295. [PMID: 35650784 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Materials capable of complex shape changes have broad reaching applications spanning biomimetic devices, componentless actuators, artificial muscles, and haptic displays. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) are a class of shape programmable materials which display anisotropic mechanical deformations in response external stimuli. This work details a synthetic strategy to quickly and efficiently prepare LCEs through the usage of chain transfer agents (CTA). The polyacrylate materials described herein exhibit large, reversible shape changes with strains greater 475%, rivalling properties observed in polysiloxane-based networks. The approach reported here is distinguished in that the materials chemistry is readily amenable to surface alignment techniques. The facile nature of the materials chemistry and the compatibility of these materials with directed self-assembly methods could further enable paradigm shifting end uses as designer substrates for flexible electronics or as actuating surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. Godman
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433-7750, United States
| | - Benjamin A. Kowalski
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433-7750, United States
- Azimuth Corporation, 4027 Colonel Glenn Highway, Beavercreek, Ohio 45431, United States
| | - Anesia D. Auguste
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433-7750, United States
| | - Hilmar Koerner
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433-7750, United States
| | - Timothy J. White
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio 45433-7750, United States
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31
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Wang Z, Tian H, He Q, Cai S. Reprogrammable, Reprocessible, and Self-Healable Liquid Crystal Elastomer with Exchangeable Disulfide Bonds. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:33119-33128. [PMID: 28879760 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b09246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) can be regarded as an integration of mesogenic molecules into a polymer network. The LCE can generate large mechanical actuation when subjected to various external stimuli. Recently, it has been extensively explored to make artificial muscle and multifunctional devices. However, in the commonly adopted two-step crosslinking method for synthesizing monodomain LCEs, the LCE needs to be well-cross-linked in the first step before stretching, which increases the disorder of mesogenic molecules in the final state of the LCE and makes it very challenging to fabricate the LCE of complex shapes. In this article, we developed a new LCE with disulfide bonds, which can be reprogrammed from the polydomain state to the monodomain state either through heating or UV illumination, owing to the rearrangement of the polymer network induced by the metathesis reaction of disulfide bonds. In addition, the newly developed LCE can be easily reprocessed and self-healed by heating. Because of the excellent reprogrammability as well as reprocessability of the LCE, we further fabricated LCE-based active micropillar arrays through robust imprint lithography, which can be hardly achieved using the LCE prepared previously. Finally, we showed an excellent long-term durability of the newly developed LCE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hongmiao Tian
- Micro- and Nano-technology Research Center, State Key Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University , 28 Xianning Road, Xi'an 710049, P. R. China
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Bono S, Sato S, Tabe Y. Unidirectional rotation of cholesteric droplets driven by UV-light irradiation. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:6569-6575. [PMID: 28900643 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00982h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the novel photo-induced dynamics of azobenzene-doped cholesteric (Ch) droplets coexisting with the isotropic (Iso) phase. When the hemispherical Ch droplets initially stuck to glass substrates were irradiated by UV-light, they were parted from the substrates due to the surface disordering caused by the photo-isomerization of azobenzene. Then, the spherical droplets floating in the Iso phase exhibited an unexpected motion - a continuous and unidirectional rotation along the light propagation direction. The rotational direction was reversed by the inversion of either the sample's chirality or the UV irradiation direction, and the rotational velocity increased with both the UV-light intensity and the concentration of the doped azobenzene, the dependences of which were described by linear and relaxation functions, respectively. We proposed a possible scenario based on Leslie's theory combining mass fluxes and torques, which well explained the photo-driven rotation of the Ch droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Bono
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
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33
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Kim H, Boothby JM, Ramachandran S, Lee CD, Ware TH. Tough, Shape-Changing Materials: Crystallized Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Macromolecules 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd., Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Jennifer M. Boothby
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd., Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Sarvesh Ramachandran
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd., Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Cameron D. Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd., Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
| | - Taylor H. Ware
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd., Richardson, Texas 75080, United States
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34
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Cai F, Zheng F, Lu X, Lu Q. Control of the alignment of liquid crystal molecules on a sequence-polymerized film by surface migration and polarized light irradiation. Polym Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7py01576c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A terminal azobenzene-containing terpolymer with excellent thermal stability and transparency was developed for the photo-alignment of liquid crystal molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cai
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200240
- China
| | - Feng Zheng
- School of Chemical Science and Engineering
- Tongji University
- Shanghai
- China
| | - Xuemin Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200240
- China
| | - Qinghua Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Shanghai 200240
- China
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35
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Choi YJ, Yoon WJ, Kim DY, Park M, Lee Y, Jung D, Kim JS, Yu YT, Lee CR, Jeong KU. Stimuli-responsive liquid crystal physical gels based on the hierarchical superstructures of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide macrogelators. Polym Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7py00134g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive liquid crystal physical gels (LCPGs) were fabricated by using the hierarchical superstructures of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide macrogelators in a host nematic LC medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jin Choi
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Jin Yoon
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Yoon Kim
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Minwook Park
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Yumin Lee
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Daseal Jung
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Soo Kim
- Division of Advanced Materials Engineering
- Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Tae Yu
- Division of Advanced Materials Engineering
- Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Cheul-Ro Lee
- Division of Advanced Materials Engineering
- Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Un Jeong
- BK21 Plus Haptic Polymer Composite Research Team & Department of Polymer-Nano Science and Technology Chonbuk National University
- Jeonju 54896
- Republic of Korea
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36
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Bisoyi HK, Li Q. Light-Driven Liquid Crystalline Materials: From Photo-Induced Phase Transitions and Property Modulations to Applications. Chem Rev 2016; 116:15089-15166. [PMID: 27936632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 407] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Light-driven phenomena both in living systems and nonliving materials have enabled truly fascinating and incredible dynamic architectures with terrific forms and functions. Recently, liquid crystalline materials endowed with photoresponsive capability have emerged as enticing systems. In this Review, we focus on the developments of light-driven liquid crystalline materials containing photochromic components over the past decade. Design and synthesis of photochromic liquid crystals (LCs), photoinduced phase transitions in LC, and photoalignment and photoorientation of LCs have been covered. Photomodulation of pitch, polarization, lattice constant and handedness inversion of chiral LCs is discussed. Light-driven phenomena and properties of liquid crystalline polymers, elastomers, and networks have also been analyzed. The applications of photoinduced phase transitions, photoalignment, photomodulation of chiral LCs, and photomobile polymers have been highlighted wherever appropriate. The combination of photochromism, liquid crystallinity, and fabrication techniques has enabled some fascinating functional materials which can be driven by ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light irradiation. Nanoscale particles have been incorporated to widen and diversify the scope of the light-driven liquid crystalline materials. The developed materials possess huge potential for applications in optics, photonics, adaptive materials, nanotechnology, etc. The challenges and opportunities in this area are discussed at the end of the Review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University , Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Quan Li
- Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University , Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
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Hessberger T, Braun L, Zentel R. Microfluidic Synthesis of Actuating Microparticles from a Thiol-Ene Based Main-Chain Liquid Crystalline Elastomer. Polymers (Basel) 2016; 8:E410. [PMID: 30974688 PMCID: PMC6432392 DOI: 10.3390/polym8120410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article the microfluidic synthesis of strongly actuating particles on the basis of a liquid crystalline main-chain elastomer is presented. The synthesis is carried out in a capillary-based co-flow microreactor by photo-initiated thiol-ene click chemistry of a liquid crystalline monomer mixture. These microparticles exhibit a deformation from a spherical to a rod-like shape during the thermal-initiated phase transition of the liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) at which the particles' aspect ratio is almost doubled. Repeated contraction cycles confirm the complete reversibility of the particles' actuation properties. The transition temperature of the LCE, the temperature range of the actuation process as well as the magnitude of the particles' aspect ratio change are studied and controlled by the systematic variation of the liquid crystalline crosslinker content in the monomer mixture. Especially the variable actuation properties of these stimuli-responsive microparticles enable the possibility of an application as soft actuators or sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Hessberger
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Lukas Braun
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Rudolf Zentel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55099 Mainz, Germany.
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Ban J, Zhu L, Chen S, Wang Y. The Effect of 4-Octyldecyloxybenzoic Acid on Liquid-Crystalline Polyurethane Composites with Triple-Shape Memory and Self-Healing Properties. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2016; 9:E792. [PMID: 28773914 PMCID: PMC5457044 DOI: 10.3390/ma9090792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To better understand shape memory materials and self-healing materials, a new series of liquid-crystalline shape memory polyurethane (LC-SMPU) composites, named SMPU-OOBAm, were successfully prepared by incorporating 4-octyldecyloxybenzoic acid (OOBA) into the PEG-based SMPU. The effect of OOBA on the structure, morphology, and properties of the material has been carefully investigated. The results demonstrate that SMPU-OOBAm has liquid crystalline properties, triple-shape memory properties, and self-healing properties. The incorporated OOBA promotes the crystallizability of both soft and hard segments of SMPU, and the crystallization rate of the hard segment of SMPU decreases when the OOBA-content increases. Additionally, the SMPU-OOBAm forms a two-phase separated structure (SMPU phase and OOBA phase), and it shows two-step modulus changes upon heating. Therefore, the SMPU-OOBAm exhibits triple-shape memory behavior, and the shape recovery ratio decreases with an increase in the OOBA content. Finally, SMPU-OOBAm exhibits self-healing properties. The new mechanism can be ascribed to the heating-induced "bleeding" of OOBA in the liquid crystalline state and the subsequent re-crystallization upon cooling. This successful combination of liquid crystalline properties, triple-shape memory properties, and self-healing properties make the SMPU-OOBAm composites ideal for many promising applications in smart optical devices, smart electronic devices, and smart sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Ban
- Nanshan District Key Lab for Biopolymers and Safety Evaluation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Linjiang Zhu
- Nanshan District Key Lab for Biopolymers and Safety Evaluation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Shaojun Chen
- Nanshan District Key Lab for Biopolymers and Safety Evaluation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, Guangdong Research Center for Interfacial Engineering of Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Yiping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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39
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Häring M, Díaz DD. Supramolecular metallogels with bulk self-healing properties prepared by in situ metal complexation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:13068-13081. [PMID: 27711325 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc06533c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this feature article, we discuss a series of contributions dealing with the in situ fabrication of supramolecular metallogels (i.e. using low molecular weight ligands and metal ions) that show self-healing properties of the bulk gel phase after complete physical segregation. Most of the advances in this area have taken place during the last three years and are mainly represented by organogels, whereas examples of hydrogels and organic-aqueous gels are still a minority. In situ gelation via metal-coordination of low molecular weight compounds is conceptually different from the use of premade (e.g. in solution) coordination polymers and polymeric structures as gelators and ligands, respectively. In the case of in situ gelation, the cooperative effects of all components of the mixture (i.e. ligand, metal ion, counterions and solvent molecules) in an appropriate ratio under well-defined experimental conditions play a crucial role in the gelation phenomenon and self-healing properties of the material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marleen Häring
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Universitätstr. 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany.
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40
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Photocrosslinkable Trehalose Derivatives Carrying Mesogenic Groups: Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Evaluation for Fibroblast Attachment. J Funct Biomater 2016; 7:jfb7030024. [PMID: 27626451 PMCID: PMC5040997 DOI: 10.3390/jfb7030024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A photocrosslinkable trehalose derivative carrying mesogenic groups was synthesized by esterification reactions. The derivative (TC-HBPHA) was synthesized by the reaction of partially cinnamoyl-modified trehalose (TC4) with 4-(4-hexyloxybenzoyloxy)phenoxy-6-oxohexanoic acid (HBPHA) as a mesogenic unit. TC-HBPHA showed a nematic liquid crystalline mesophase at a temperature range from 150 °C to 175 °C in the heating process under observation with a polarized optical microscope. The dimerization of the cinnamoyl groups of TC-HBPHA by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation was monitored by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The photocrosslinked film was obtained after the UV irradiation of TC-HBPHA, and it kept the liquid crystalline mesophase at almost the same temperature range. Fibroblast cells cultured on the photocrosslinked TC-HBPHA proliferated as well as on the polystyrene culture plate, indicating that the film has no toxicity. Interestingly, some cells on photocrosslinked TC-HBPHA had a spindle shape and aligned characteristically.
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41
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Interface versus bulk gelation and UCST in hydrophobically assembled TX-100 molecular gels. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2016.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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42
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Schiller J, Alegre-Requena JV, Marqués-López E, Herrera RP, Casanovas J, Alemán C, Díaz Díaz D. Self-assembled fibrillar networks of a multifaceted chiral squaramide: supramolecular multistimuli-responsive alcogels. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:4361-4374. [PMID: 27087352 DOI: 10.1039/c5sm02997j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Chiral N,N'-disubstituted squaramide has been found to undergo self-assembly in a variety of alcoholic solvents at low concentrations leading to the formation of novel nanostructured supramolecular alcogels. The gels responded to thermal, mechanical, optical and chemical stimuli. Solubility studies, gelation ability tests and computer modeling of a series of structurally related squaramides proved the existence of a unique combination of non-covalent molecular interactions and favorable hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance in that drive the anisotropic growth of alcogel networks. The results have also revealed a remarkable effect of ultrasound on both the gelation kinetics and the properties of the alcogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Schiller
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Juan V Alegre-Requena
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. and Laboratorio de Organocatálisis Asimétrica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Eugenia Marqués-López
- Laboratorio de Organocatálisis Asimétrica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Raquel P Herrera
- Laboratorio de Organocatálisis Asimétrica, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jordi Casanovas
- Departament de Química, EPS, Universitat de Lleida, Jaume II 69, 25001 Lleida, Spain
| | - Carlos Alemán
- Departament d'Enginyeria Química - ETSEIB and Center for Research in Nano-Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Av. Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Díaz Díaz
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany. and IQAC-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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43
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Stubenrauch C, Gießelmann F. Gelled Complex Fluids: Combining Unique Structures with Mechanical Stability. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 55:3268-75. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201506603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Stubenrauch
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie; Universität Stuttgart; Pfaffenwaldring 55 70569 Stuttgart Germany
| | - Frank Gießelmann
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie; Universität Stuttgart; Pfaffenwaldring 55 70569 Stuttgart Germany
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44
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Stubenrauch C, Gießelmann F. Gelierte komplexe Fluide - die Verbindung einzigartiger Strukturen mit mechanischer Stabilität. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201506603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cosima Stubenrauch
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie; Universität Stuttgart; Pfaffenwaldring 55 70569 Stuttgart Deutschland
| | - Frank Gießelmann
- Institut für Physikalische Chemie; Universität Stuttgart; Pfaffenwaldring 55 70569 Stuttgart Deutschland
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45
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Han G, Nie J, Zhang H. Facile preparation of recyclable photodeformable azobenzene polymer fibers with chemically crosslinked networks. Polym Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6py01100d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The first preparation of recyclable photodeformable azobenzene polymer fibers with chemically crosslinked networks by using reversible thiol–disulfide switches is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
- and College of Chemistry
- Nankai University
| | - Juyin Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
- and College of Chemistry
- Nankai University
| | - Huiqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology
- Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)
- and College of Chemistry
- Nankai University
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46
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Wood SM, Castles F, Elston SJ, Morris SM. Wavelength-tuneable laser emission from stretchable chiral nematic liquid crystal gels via in situ photopolymerization. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra05024g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a technique for creating multi-coloured liquid crystalline laser gels which may be selectively and reversibly wavelength-tuned by applying a mechanical strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Wood
- Department of Engineering Science
- University of Oxford
- Oxford
- UK
| | - F. Castles
- Department of Materials Science
- University of Oxford
- Oxford
- UK
| | - S. J. Elston
- Department of Engineering Science
- University of Oxford
- Oxford
- UK
| | - S. M. Morris
- Department of Engineering Science
- University of Oxford
- Oxford
- UK
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47
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Hager MD, Bode S, Weber C, Schubert US. Shape memory polymers: Past, present and future developments. Prog Polym Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 462] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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48
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundus Erbas-Cakmak
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Leigh
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Charlie T. McTernan
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Alina
L. Nussbaumer
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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49
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Torbati AH, Mather PT. A hydrogel-forming liquid crystalline elastomer exhibiting soft shape memory. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amir H. Torbati
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering; Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse New York 13244
| | - Patrick T. Mather
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering; Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, Syracuse University; Syracuse New York 13244
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50
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Synthesis of well-defined easily crosslinkable azobenzene side-chain liquid crystalline polymers via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization and photomechanical properties of their post-crosslinked fibers. Eur Polym J 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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