Surface dynamics and mechanics in liquid crystal polymer coatings

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Abstract

Based on liquid crystal networks we developed 'smart' coatings with responsive surface topographies. Either by prepatterning or by the formation of self-organized structures they can be switched on and off in a pre-designed manner. Here we provide an overview of our methods to generate coatings that form surface structures upon the actuation by light. The coating oscillates between a flat surface and a surface with pre-designed 3D micro-patterns by modulating a light source. With recent developments in solid state lighting, light is an attractive trigger medium as it can be integrated in a device for local control or can be used remotely for flood or localized exposure. The basic principle of formation of surface topographies is based on the change of molecular organization in ordered liquid crystal polymer networks. The change in order leads to anisotropic dimensional changes with contraction along the director and expansion to the two perpendicular directions and an increase in volume by the formation of free volume. These two effects work in concert to provide local expansion and contraction in the coating steered by the local direction of molecular orientation. The surface deformation, expressed as the height difference between the activated regions and the non-activated regions divided by the initial film thickness, is of the order of 20%. Switching occurs immediately when the light is switched 'on' and 'off' and takes several tens of seconds.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEmerging Liquid Crystal Technologies X
EditorsL.-C. Chien, H.J. Coles, H. Kikuchi, I.I. Smalyukh
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9781628414745
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event10th Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies Conference (ELCT 2015) - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 9 Feb 201511 Feb 2015
Conference number: 10

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
PublisherSPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9384

Conference

Conference10th Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies Conference (ELCT 2015)
Abbreviated titleELCT 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period9/02/1511/02/15

Keywords

  • Dynamic
  • Liquid crystal polymer networks
  • Reversible
  • Self-organizing
  • Surface topographies

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