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Liquid Crystal Networks on Thermoplastics: Reprogrammable Photo‐Responsive Actuators
Author(s) -
Verpaalen Rob C. P.,
Pilz da Cunha Marina,
Engels Tom A. P.,
Debije Michael G.,
Schenning Albert P. H. J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201915147
Subject(s) - actuator , materials science , morphing , fabrication , azobenzene , thermoplastic , liquid crystal , composite material , optoelectronics , computer science , polymer , artificial intelligence , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology
Arbitrary shape (re)programming is appealing for fabricating untethered shape‐morphing photo‐actuators with intricate configurations and features. We present re‐programmable light‐responsive thermoplastic actuators with arbitrary initial shapes through spray‐coating of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with an azobenzene‐doped light‐responsive liquid crystal network (LCN). The initial geometry of the actuator is controlled by thermally shaping and fixing the thermoplastic PET, allowing arbitrary shapes, including origami‐like folds and left‐ and right‐handed helicity within a single sample. The thermally fixed geometries can be reversibly actuated through light exposure, with fast, reversible area‐specific actuation such as winding, unwinding and unfolding. By shape re‐programming, the same sample can be re‐designed and light‐actuated again. The strategy presented here demonstrates easy fabrication of mechanically robust, recyclable, photo‐responsive actuators with highly tuneable geometries and actuation modes.