Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers
Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) is one kind of soft actuating material capable of producing large and reversible actuation strain, versatile and programmable actuation modes, and high work density, which can be widely exploited for next-generation soft robots. However, the slow response speed and low...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Science Press
2024-06-01
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| Series: | National Science Open |
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| Online Access: | https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.1360/nso/20240013 |
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| author | Liu Changyue Jin Liuchao Liao Wei-Hsin Wang Zhijian He Qiguang |
| author_facet | Liu Changyue Jin Liuchao Liao Wei-Hsin Wang Zhijian He Qiguang |
| author_sort | Liu Changyue |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) is one kind of soft actuating material capable of producing large and reversible actuation strain, versatile and programmable actuation modes, and high work density, which can be widely exploited for next-generation soft robots. However, the slow response speed and low power density in LCE-based actuators remain a challenge, limiting their practical applications. Researchers have been considering how to improve these performances. In this review, we discuss the fundamentals of the LCEs and emphasize the fast actuation strategies developed in recent years. Initially, we introduce conventional preparation strategies. Then, we describe typical actuation mechanisms of LCEs, discussing their features and limitations. Subsequently, we summarize several possible approaches as case studies to enhance the actuation performance of LCEs, including reducing physical sizes, introducing active heating-cooling mechanisms, utilizing mechanical instability, and developing dielectric LCEs. Finally, we discuss the future research opportunities and challenges for rapid actuation of LCEs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3667e3acca284d8da5f35aef416d3c7d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2097-1168 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Science Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | National Science Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-3667e3acca284d8da5f35aef416d3c7d2025-08-20T02:57:00ZengScience PressNational Science Open2097-11682024-06-01410.1360/nso/20240013eb33e642Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomersLiu Changyue0Jin Liuchao1Liao Wei-Hsin2Wang Zhijian3He Qiguang4["Tianmushan Laboratory, Hangzhou 310023, China","Key Laboratory of Aerospace Advanced Materials and Performance, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China"]["Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China"]["Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China"]["Tianmushan Laboratory, Hangzhou 310023, China","Key Laboratory of Aerospace Advanced Materials and Performance, Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China"]["Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China"]Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) is one kind of soft actuating material capable of producing large and reversible actuation strain, versatile and programmable actuation modes, and high work density, which can be widely exploited for next-generation soft robots. However, the slow response speed and low power density in LCE-based actuators remain a challenge, limiting their practical applications. Researchers have been considering how to improve these performances. In this review, we discuss the fundamentals of the LCEs and emphasize the fast actuation strategies developed in recent years. Initially, we introduce conventional preparation strategies. Then, we describe typical actuation mechanisms of LCEs, discussing their features and limitations. Subsequently, we summarize several possible approaches as case studies to enhance the actuation performance of LCEs, including reducing physical sizes, introducing active heating-cooling mechanisms, utilizing mechanical instability, and developing dielectric LCEs. Finally, we discuss the future research opportunities and challenges for rapid actuation of LCEs.https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.1360/nso/20240013liquid crystal elastomersoft roboticsrapid actuation |
| spellingShingle | Liu Changyue Jin Liuchao Liao Wei-Hsin Wang Zhijian He Qiguang Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers National Science Open liquid crystal elastomer soft robotics rapid actuation |
| title | Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers |
| title_full | Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers |
| title_fullStr | Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers |
| title_short | Achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers |
| title_sort | achieving rapid actuation in liquid crystal elastomers |
| topic | liquid crystal elastomer soft robotics rapid actuation |
| url | https://www.sciengine.com/doi/10.1360/nso/20240013 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT liuchangyue achievingrapidactuationinliquidcrystalelastomers AT jinliuchao achievingrapidactuationinliquidcrystalelastomers AT liaoweihsin achievingrapidactuationinliquidcrystalelastomers AT wangzhijian achievingrapidactuationinliquidcrystalelastomers AT heqiguang achievingrapidactuationinliquidcrystalelastomers |