Toward Application of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer for Smart Robotics: State of the Art and Challenges.
Polymers (Basel)
; 13(11)2021 Jun 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34204168
ABSTRACT
Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are lightly crosslinked polymers that combine liquid crystalline order and rubber elasticity. Owing to their unique anisotropic behavior and reversible shape responses to external stimulation (temperature, light, etc.), LCEs have emerged as preferred candidates for actuators, artificial muscles, sensors, smart robots, or other intelligent devices. Herein, we discuss the basic action, control mechanisms, phase transitions, and the structure-property correlation of LCEs; this review provides a comprehensive overview of LCEs for applications in actuators and other smart devices. Furthermore, the synthesis and processing of liquid crystal elastomer are briefly discussed, and the current challenges and future opportunities are prospected. With all recent progress pertaining to material design, sophisticated manipulation, and advanced applications presented, a vision for the application of LCEs in the next generation smart robots or automatic action systems is outlined.
Full text:
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Polymers (Basel)
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article