Liquid crystal elastomer–nanoparticle systems for actuation

Chambers, Martin; Finkelmann, Heino; Remškar, Maja; Sánchez-Ferrer, Antoni; Zalar, Boštjan; Žumer, Slobodan

doi:10.1039/b812423j

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Journal article

Liquid crystal elastomer–nanoparticle systems for actuation

Chambers, Martin J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia - Physics Department, Kent State University, Ohio, USA
Finkelmann, Heino Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany
Remškar, Maja J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Sánchez-Ferrer, Antoni Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany - Department of Physics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Zalar, Boštjan J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia - Department of Physics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Žumer, Slobodan J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia - Department of Physics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

16.12.2009

Published in:

Journal of Materials Chemistry. - 2009, vol. 19, p. 1524 - 1531

English Liquid crystal elastomers (LCE) are currently of great interest due to conjoining of mesogenic ordering and rubber elasticity, exhibited in their large spontaneous thermally stimulated changes in shape. It has been shown that nanoparticles (nanotubes, photo-isomerisable dyes, magnetic nanoparticles) can be incorporated into these LCE networks to create a more sensitive network to external stimuli (i.e. strain or stress, optical, electrical, electro-thermal, magnetic). Here, we briefly summarise the current state of LCE–nanoparticle systems and explain in detail one system utilising carbon nanoparticles integrated at surfaces that may be used for electro-thermal heating of LCE systems.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Physique

Language