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  • Non‐Uniform Optical Inscrip...
    Yang, Rong; Zhao, Yue

    Angewandte Chemie International Edition, November 6, 2017, Volume: 56, Issue: 45
    Journal Article

    Achieving complex shape change of liquid‐crystal polymer networks (LCNs) under stimulation generally requires spatial configuration of the orientation direction, that is, patterned directors, of liquid crystal monomers prior to polymerization by means of treated surfaces. A strategy is demonstrated that needs only the simple uniaxial orientation of mesogens (monodomain) induced by mechanical stretching of LCNs. Using a rationally designed liquid crystal polymer, photocrosslinking is utilized to pattern or spatially organize the actuating monodomains in order to generate a differential contractile and/or extensional force field required for targeted shape change. Moreover, the approach enables versatile actuation modes and allows multiple shape changes to be programmed on a single piece of the polymer. This important feature is demonstrated with a specimen cut to have eight strips that, upon thermal stimulation, simultaneously display eight types of shape morphing. Roll with the changes: An easily processable liquid crystal polymer with only uniaxial orientation of mesogens can be programmed to display multiple, complex shape morphing on a single piece of the material (eight changes are shown in the picture). The approach consists of using photocrosslinking to spatially configure and organize the actuation domains in a mechanically stretched specimen.