Dual-responsive, shape-switching bilayers enabled by liquid crystal elastomers
Abstract
Materials that change shape are attractive candidates to replace traditional actuators for applications with power or size restrictions. In this work, we design a polymeric bilayer that changes shape in response to both heat and water by the incorporation of a water-responsive hydrophilic polymer with a heat-responsive liquid crystal elastomer. The distinct shape changes based on stimulus are controlled by the molecular order, and consequently the anisotropic modulus, of a liquid crystal elastomer. In response to water, the hydrophilic polymer layer expands, bending the bilayer along the path dictated by the anisotropic modulus of the liquid crystal elastomer layer, which is approximately 5 times higher along the molecular orientation than in perpendicular directions. We demonstrate that by varying the direction of this stiffer axis in LCE films, helical pitch of the swollen bilayer can be controlled from 0.1 to 20 mm. By spatially patterning the stiffer axis with a resolution of 900 μm2, we demonstrate bilayers that fold and bend based on the pattern within the LCE. In response to heat, the liquid crystal elastomer contracts along the direction of molecular order, and when this actuation is constrained by the hydrophilic polymer, this contraction results in a 3D shape that is distinct from the shape seen in water. Furthermore, by using the vitrification of the dry hydrophilic polymer this 3D shape can be retained in the bilayer after cooling. By utilizing sequential exposure to heat and water, we can drive the initially flat bilayer to reversibly shift between 3D shapes.
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Voxelated LCEs capable of actuating reversibly and exhibiting large work capacities have been produced in thick-film geometries about 1 mm thick via 3D printing.
“Recently, voxelated LCEs, capable of actuating reversibly and exhibiting large work capacities, have been produced in thick-film geometries (about 1 mm thick) via 3D printing [200-204].”
From Two-Way and Multiple-Way Shape Memory Polymers for Soft Robotics: An Overview (2020) · cites this paper as [201]
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- Authors
- Boothby, J. M., & Ware, T. H.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Dallas (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ware, T. H.
- Venue
- Soft Matter
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Published
- 2017
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 24
- Pages
- 4349-4356
- ISSN
- 1744-683X (ISSN-L)
- 1744-6848
- OpenAlex
- W2607594760
- Cited by
- 127
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 7
- FWCI
- 11.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Soft Matter (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Texas at Dallas
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Dielectric materials and actuators
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials › Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
- Keywords
- liquid crystal elastomers, shape-changing materials, thermal actuation, molecular orientation, helical pitch, shape preservation, vitrification, reversible actuation
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