Desynchronized liquid crystalline network actuators with deformation reversal capability

Yao-Yu Xiao, Zhi-Chao Jiang, Jun-Bo Hou and Yue Zhao ()
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Yao-Yu Xiao: Université de Sherbrooke
Zhi-Chao Jiang: Université de Sherbrooke
Jun-Bo Hou: Université de Sherbrooke
Yue Zhao: Université de Sherbrooke

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Liquid crystalline network (LCN) actuator normally deforms upon thermally or optically induced order-disorder phase transition, switching once between two shapes (shape 1 in LC phase and shape 2 in isotropic state) for each stimulation on/off cycle. Herein, we report an LCN actuator that deforms from shape 1 to shape 2 and then reverses the deformation direction to form shape 3 on heating or under light only, thus completing the shape switch twice for one stimulation on/off cycle. The deformation reversal capability is obtained with a monolithic LCN actuator whose two sides are made to start deforming at different temperatures and exerting different reversible strains, by means of asymmetrical crosslinking and/or asymmetrical stretching. This desynchronized actuation strategy offers possibilities in developing light-fueled LCN soft robots. In particular, the multi-stage bidirectional shape change enables multimodal, light-driven locomotion from the same LCN actuator by simply varying the light on/off times.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20938-6

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