Liquid crystalline materials are pervasive in modern society. Liquid crystalline materials in polymeric forms exhibit exceptional characteristics in high performance applications such as transparent armor or bulletproof vests. A specific class of liquid crystalline polymeric materials, referred to as liquid crystalline elastomers, were predicted by de Gennes to have exceptional promise as artificial muscles and actuators, owing to the unique assimilation of anisotropy and elasticity. Subsequent experimental studies have confirmed the salient features of these materials, with respect to other forms of stimuli-responsive soft matter, are actuation cycles of up to 400% as well “soft elasticity” (stretch at minimal stress). In this presentation, I will summarize our recent efforts in developing photopolymerizable compositions amenable to directed self-assembly. Enabled by these chemistries and processing methods, we will detail the performance of liquid crystal elastomers with distinctive actuation and mechanical properties.

Programming functionality in liquid crystalline polymer networks and elastomers

2019 Spring National Meeting

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