Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion
Abstract The geometric shape and programming of mesogen alignment are two critical prerequisites for the effective actuation of liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators. However, existing alignment programming approaches inevitably impose limitations on the geometric design of LCEs. In this study, w...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62883-8 |
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| author | Xiaorui Zhou Yi Sheng Guancong Chen Hong Wan Luping Lu Hao Xing Jiacheng Huang Zhan Zhu Yufei Wang Hanyuan Bao Jingjun Wu Qian Zhao Tao Xie Ning Zheng |
| author_facet | Xiaorui Zhou Yi Sheng Guancong Chen Hong Wan Luping Lu Hao Xing Jiacheng Huang Zhan Zhu Yufei Wang Hanyuan Bao Jingjun Wu Qian Zhao Tao Xie Ning Zheng |
| author_sort | Xiaorui Zhou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The geometric shape and programming of mesogen alignment are two critical prerequisites for the effective actuation of liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators. However, existing alignment programming approaches inevitably impose limitations on the geometric design of LCEs. In this study, we introduce a controlled radical diffusion mechanism that enables geometrically insensitive programming of actuation. Our findings show that LCEs can be deformed into complex structures via soft-elasticity and achieve the required mesogen alignment by simply soaking the LCE in an aqueous solvent of a free-radical initiator. The process requires no external assistance (maintained force, fixture, heating, or light) and the omnidirectional radicals’ diffusion enables precise implementation of actuation across arbitrary geometries, including those produced through 3D printing, molding, embossing, and origami techniques. This “deform-and-go” strategy allows for scalable and versatile fabrication of advanced LCE actuators, representing a significant advancement in soft robotics engineering. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b68aaf389fac473085ca0aac108fcd68 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-b68aaf389fac473085ca0aac108fcd682025-08-20T03:05:10ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-62883-8Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusionXiaorui Zhou0Yi Sheng1Guancong Chen2Hong Wan3Luping Lu4Hao Xing5Jiacheng Huang6Zhan Zhu7Yufei Wang8Hanyuan Bao9Jingjun Wu10Qian Zhao11Tao Xie12Ning Zheng13State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou Zhijiang Advanced Material Co., Ltd, tests.711State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract The geometric shape and programming of mesogen alignment are two critical prerequisites for the effective actuation of liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators. However, existing alignment programming approaches inevitably impose limitations on the geometric design of LCEs. In this study, we introduce a controlled radical diffusion mechanism that enables geometrically insensitive programming of actuation. Our findings show that LCEs can be deformed into complex structures via soft-elasticity and achieve the required mesogen alignment by simply soaking the LCE in an aqueous solvent of a free-radical initiator. The process requires no external assistance (maintained force, fixture, heating, or light) and the omnidirectional radicals’ diffusion enables precise implementation of actuation across arbitrary geometries, including those produced through 3D printing, molding, embossing, and origami techniques. This “deform-and-go” strategy allows for scalable and versatile fabrication of advanced LCE actuators, representing a significant advancement in soft robotics engineering.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62883-8 |
| spellingShingle | Xiaorui Zhou Yi Sheng Guancong Chen Hong Wan Luping Lu Hao Xing Jiacheng Huang Zhan Zhu Yufei Wang Hanyuan Bao Jingjun Wu Qian Zhao Tao Xie Ning Zheng Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion Nature Communications |
| title | Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion |
| title_full | Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion |
| title_fullStr | Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion |
| title_short | Geometrically insensitive deform-and-go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion |
| title_sort | geometrically insensitive deform and go liquid crystal elastomer actuators through controlled radical diffusion |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62883-8 |
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