A foldable compact actuator based on an oxetane liquid crystal network

Davey C. Hoekstra; Patricia P.M. Visser; Simon J.A. Houben; Johan Lub; Michael G. Debije; Albert P.H.J. Schenning

doi:10.1063/5.0039965

A foldable compact actuator based on an oxetane liquid crystal network

Davey C. Hoekstra, Patricia P.M. Visser, Simon J.A. Houben, Johan Lub, Michael G. Debije, Albert P.H.J. Schenning (Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

The fabrication of a foldable, compact liquid crystal actuator based on oxetane reactive monomers is reported. The free-standing liquid crystal network films are optically clear, flexible, and have easily tunable anisotropic thermal and mechanical properties. The oxetane liquid crystal networks demonstrate excellent one-way shape memory properties, with good temporary shape fixation and complete shape recovery. In addition, the flexible polyether backbone of the oxetane liquid crystal networks results in large two-way bending actuation, with the actuators showing rotation inversion and making multiple rotations. Both actuation mechanisms could be combined to form actuators that can be temporarily folded before fully recovering to their original shape prior to use. As a result, the oxetane liquid crystal networks have great
potential as foldable, compact actuators.

Original language	English
Article number	075101
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Applied Physics
Volume	129
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0039965
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2021

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title = "A foldable compact actuator based on an oxetane liquid crystal network",

abstract = "The fabrication of a foldable, compact liquid crystal actuator based on oxetane reactive monomers is reported. The free-standing liquid crystal network films are optically clear, flexible, and have easily tunable anisotropic thermal and mechanical properties. The oxetane liquid crystal networks demonstrate excellent one-way shape memory properties, with good temporary shape fixation and complete shape recovery. In addition, the flexible polyether backbone of the oxetane liquid crystal networks results in large two-way bending actuation, with the actuators showing rotation inversion and making multiple rotations. Both actuation mechanisms could be combined to form actuators that can be temporarily folded before fully recovering to their original shape prior to use. As a result, the oxetane liquid crystal networks have greatpotential as foldable, compact actuators.",

author = "Hoekstra, {Davey C.} and Visser, {Patricia P.M.} and Houben, {Simon J.A.} and Johan Lub and Debije, {Michael G.} and Schenning, {Albert P.H.J.}",

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AU - Hoekstra, Davey C.

AU - Visser, Patricia P.M.

AU - Houben, Simon J.A.

AU - Lub, Johan

AU - Debije, Michael G.

AU - Schenning, Albert P.H.J.

PY - 2021/2/1

Y1 - 2021/2/1

N2 - The fabrication of a foldable, compact liquid crystal actuator based on oxetane reactive monomers is reported. The free-standing liquid crystal network films are optically clear, flexible, and have easily tunable anisotropic thermal and mechanical properties. The oxetane liquid crystal networks demonstrate excellent one-way shape memory properties, with good temporary shape fixation and complete shape recovery. In addition, the flexible polyether backbone of the oxetane liquid crystal networks results in large two-way bending actuation, with the actuators showing rotation inversion and making multiple rotations. Both actuation mechanisms could be combined to form actuators that can be temporarily folded before fully recovering to their original shape prior to use. As a result, the oxetane liquid crystal networks have greatpotential as foldable, compact actuators.

AB - The fabrication of a foldable, compact liquid crystal actuator based on oxetane reactive monomers is reported. The free-standing liquid crystal network films are optically clear, flexible, and have easily tunable anisotropic thermal and mechanical properties. The oxetane liquid crystal networks demonstrate excellent one-way shape memory properties, with good temporary shape fixation and complete shape recovery. In addition, the flexible polyether backbone of the oxetane liquid crystal networks results in large two-way bending actuation, with the actuators showing rotation inversion and making multiple rotations. Both actuation mechanisms could be combined to form actuators that can be temporarily folded before fully recovering to their original shape prior to use. As a result, the oxetane liquid crystal networks have greatpotential as foldable, compact actuators.

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DO - 10.1063/5.0039965

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VL - 129

JO - Journal of Applied Physics

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