Three-dimensional printing of functionally graded liquid crystal elastomer

Z Wang, Z Wang, Y Zheng, Q He, Y Wang, S Cai - Science advances, 2020 - science.org
Science advances, 2020science.org
As a promising actuating material, liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) has been intensively
explored in building diverse active structures and devices. Recently, direct ink writing
technique has been developed to print LCE structures with various geometries and
actuation behaviors. Despite the advancement in printing LCE, it remains challenging to
print three-dimensional (3D) LCE structures with graded properties. Here, we report a facile
method to tailor both the actuation behavior and mechanical properties of printed LCE …
As a promising actuating material, liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) has been intensively explored in building diverse active structures and devices. Recently, direct ink writing technique has been developed to print LCE structures with various geometries and actuation behaviors. Despite the advancement in printing LCE, it remains challenging to print three-dimensional (3D) LCE structures with graded properties. Here, we report a facile method to tailor both the actuation behavior and mechanical properties of printed LCE filaments by varying printing parameters. On the basis of the comprehensive processing-structure-property relationship, we propose a simple strategy to print functionally graded LCEs, which greatly increases the design space for creating active morphing structures. We further demonstrate mitigation of stress concentration near the interface between an actuatable LCE tube and a rigid glass plate through gradient printing. The strategy developed here will facilitate potential applications of LCEs in different fields.
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