Reconfigurable Exotic Liquid Crystal Elastomer “Smart” Surfaces via Hot Embossing

Abstract

AbstractSmart surfaces, distinguished by their dynamic responses to environmental changes, may enhance the functionality, interactivity, and efficiency of materials and devices. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are ideal candidates for creating smart surfaces, allowing reversible topographical changes in response to environmental stimuli. However, traditional thermoset LCE preparation methods require complex manufacturing processes, including photopolymerization, and the resulting surfaces (often pillars) are nonreprogrammable and nonrecyclable. In this work, hot embossing is used in combination with a thermoplastic LCE for creating self‐healing and reprogrammable exotic surfaces capable of reversibly responding to environmental stimuli, significantly simplifying fabrication. It is demonstrated that hot embossing can be effectively applied to fabricate surfaces with arrays of pillars, cones, tubes, or mushroom shapes. The exotic surface structures exhibit reversible and programmable shape changes in response to heat and can be erased and rewritten to alternate complex topographies. As an additional feature, the LCE can be recycled and reused to create photo‐responsive surface topographies that can be spatiotemporally addressed by light. Light‐responsive LCE surfaces are prepared by incorporating a photothermal dye without loss of reconfigurability. Demonstrators are fabricated such as locally controlled object movement on a surface by light.