Development of Liquid Crystalline Elastomers as Soft Mechanical Actuators
type: CreativeWork
description: Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCE) are a class of loosely cross-linked rubbers that combine native liquid crystal phases (e.g., orientational order) and conventional elastomeric properties (e.g., rubber elasticity). Due to their ability to undergo spontaneous and reversible shape change when subjected to external stimuli, there is a continuously growing interest in the scientific community to construct soft mechanical actuators from these materials. However, the development of LCE actuators is currently limited within the academic community and it lacks interest from the industry. Despite being studied for the past 30 years, LCEs have not yet been used in any real-world applications, which can be attributed to several problems: First, the external stimuli to trigger LCE actuation is demanding (i.e., stimuli can be difficult to deliver). Second, less desirable properties of the LCE limit their deployment (i.e., diminishing mechanical properties during their actuation). Third, industries simply need to take time to absorb the exotic features of LCE material. This thesis aims to solve these three major hurdles. Regarding the first problem, this thesis attempted to use light actuation in LCE with the assistance of upconverting nanoparticles and azobenzene dyes. However, due to time and resource limitations, they yielded no successful discovery in the end. Nevertheless, some experimental plans were made in order to inspire the reader to join the further discussion. The second problem is caused by the decline of rubber modulus in LCE (at high temperatures), which causes reduced mechanical properties thus limiting their potential as soft actuators. To solve this, the thesis discussed different strategies to improve the mechanical properties of LCEs during their actuation. Various modification solutions to the material were explored, and the best procedures were selected to construct LCEs that are resistant to temperature change. Moreover, a new type of vitrimer-enabling m…
abstract: Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCE) are a class of loosely cross-linked rubbers that combine native liquid crystal phases (e.g., orientational order) and conventional elastomeric properties (e.g., rubber elasticity). Due to their ability to undergo spontaneous and reversible shape change when subjected to external stimuli, there is a continuously growing interest in the scientific community to construct soft mechanical actuators from these materials. However, the development of LCE actuators is currently limited within the academic community and it lacks interest from the industry. Despite being studied for the past 30 years, LCEs have not yet been used in any real-world applications, which can be attributed to several problems: First, the external stimuli to trigger LCE actuation is demanding (i.e., stimuli can be difficult to deliver). Second, less desirable properties of the LCE limit their deployment (i.e., diminishing mechanical properties during their actuation). Third, industries simply need to take time to absorb the exotic features of LCE material. This thesis aims to solve these three major hurdles. Regarding the first problem, this thesis attempted to use light actuation in LCE with the assistance of upconverting nanoparticles and azobenzene dyes. However, due to time and resource limitations, they yielded no successful discovery in the end. Nevertheless, some experimental plans were made in order to inspire the reader to join the further discussion. The second problem is caused by the decline of rubber modulus in LCE (at high temperatures), which causes reduced mechanical properties thus limiting their potential as soft actuators. To solve this, the thesis discussed different strategies to improve the mechanical properties of LCEs during their actuation. Various modification solutions to the material were explored, and the best procedures were selected to construct LCEs that are resistant to temperature change. Moreover, a new type of vitrimer-enabling m…
author: Lin, Xueyan
language: eng
keywords: LCEs, liquid crystalline elastomers
license: https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/
date published: 2023-01-13
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:23:54Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.95636