Work

Actuators based on liquid crystalline elastomer materials

Year: 2013

Type: review

Abstract: Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) exhibit a number of remarkable physical effects, including the unique, high-stroke reversible mechanical actuation when triggered by external stimuli. This article reviews some recent exciting developments in the field of LCE materials with an emphasis on their utilization in actuator applications. Such applications include artificial muscles, industrial manufacturing, health and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). With suitable synthetic and preparation pathways and well-controlled actuation stimuli, such as heat, light, electric and magnetic fields, excellent physical properties of LCE materials can be realized. By comparing the actuating properties of different systems, general relationships between the structure and the properties of LCEs are discussed. How these materials can be turned into usable devices using interdisciplinary techniques is also described.

Source: Nanoscale

DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00037k

Authors: Hongrui Jiang, Chensha Li, Xuezhen Huang

Institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Materials and Mechanics

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, National Institutes of Health

Award: ACCOMMODATIVE CONTACT LENs FOR PRESBYOPIC CORRECTION