Advanced Materials for Soft Robotics
lowered actuation temperature for liquid crystal elastomers
[material research] [chemistry]
May 2023 - July 2023
The demand for more tangible approaches to interaction has led researchers to explore the potential for material actuators. This would provide nuanced haptic and visual output with enhanced actuation speed. This can be implemented in shape- changing tangible user interfaces and soft robotics.
Understanding materials that reversibly change shape upon exposure to external stimuli is an emergent scholarly undertaking. Incorporating a specific morphology into the material’s molecular structure can allow for targeted actuation without large assemblages of mechanical machinery. Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) are such promising stimuli-responsive materials that can change shape when exposed to heat, light, or magnetism. In this study, this material is used to construct fibers that can bend when heating their base. The material has been altered to have an actuation temperature of 39°C.
Exploratory project at Chemical Engineering master’s program at Eindhoven University of Technology (Teammates: Midas Zegers, Thom Alofs; Supervisor: Sam Wiema)
(a) Local actuation of 9:10 fibers using soldering iron; it can be noticed that upon heating, the fiber stood up straight. (b) The increased rigidity of fibers when tetra-functional crosslinker and inhibitor are added. (c) POM images of the base and the fiber made from the 10:9 mixture with tetra-functional crosslinker
(a) Molecular structures of the compounds used to synthesize the oligomers for the fibers. (b) schematic of the fiber production process.
Possible applications: a) Transportation of heat-sensitive and fragile objects. (b) Valve with LC Fiber to actuate opening and closing action inside the human body. (c) Self-crunching and tightening clothing reacting to body heat.
