Affiliation:
1. Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Southeast University Nanjing 211189 China
2. Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Materials Science Graduate Program Kent State University Kent OH 44242 USA
Abstract
AbstractAlthough liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) have demonstrated various applications in artificial muscles and soft robotics, their inherent flexibility and orientation‐dependent forces limit their functions. For instance, LCEs can sustain a high actuation force when they contract but cannot elongate to drive loads with large displacements. In this study, it is demonstrated that photocontrollable elongation actuation with a large strain can be achieved in polydomain LCEs by programming the crease structures in a well‐defined order to couple the actuation forces. Efficient photoactuation without overheating‐induced damage to the materials is favored, based on the well‐designed photosensitive molecular switch crosslinker via the synergy of photochemical and photothermal effects. The LCE actuator can jack up heavy loads, elongate freely, and contract back to manipulate distant objects. Theoretical analysis based on a finite element simulation of the deformation energy during the actuation process reveals a trade‐off between the abilities of jacking‐up and withstanding load. More importantly, this study simplifies the design of a single material with functions inherent only in other soft robotic devices based on the assembly of multiple modules, thus providing a design strategy for surpassing instinctive properties of conventional soft materials to expand the functions of soft robotics.
Funder
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
Subject
Mechanical Engineering,Mechanics of Materials,General Materials Science
Cited by
8 articles.
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