Affiliation:
1. LCP research group Ghent University Technologiepark 126 Gent 9052 Belgium
2. Center for Nano and Biophotonics Ghent University Technologiepark 126 Gent 9052 Belgium
3. Stimuli‐responsive Functional Materials and Devices Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
Abstract
AbstractLiquid crystalline polymers are attractive materials for untethered miniature soft robots. When they contain azo dyes, they acquire light‐responsive actuation properties. However, the manipulation of such photoresponsive polymers at the micrometer scale remains largely unexplored. Here, uni‐ and bidirectional rotation and speed control of polymerized azo‐containing chiral liquid crystalline photonic microparticles powered by light is reported. The rotation of these polymer particles is first studied in an optical trap experimentally and theoretically. The micro‐sized polymer particles respond to the handedness of a circularly polarized trapping laser due to their chirality and exhibit uni‐ and bidirectional rotation depending on their alignment within the optical tweezers. The attained optical torque causes the particles to spin with a rotation rate of several hertz. The angular speed can be controlled by small structural changes, induced by ultraviolet (UV) light absorption. After switching off the UV illumination, the particle recovers its rotation speed. The results provide evidence of uni‐ and bidirectional motion and speed control in light‐responsive polymer particles and offer a new way to devise light‐controlled rotary microengines at the micrometer scale.
Funder
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Subject
Biomaterials,Biotechnology,General Materials Science,General Chemistry
Cited by
10 articles.
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