1
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Guo S, Cui H, Agarwal T, Zhang LG. Nanomaterials in 4D Printing: Expanding the Frontiers of Advanced Manufacturing. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307750. [PMID: 38431939 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
As an innovative technology, four-dimentional (4D) printing is built upon the principles of three-dimentional (3D) printing with an additional dimension: time. While traditional 3D printing creates static objects, 4D printing generates "responsive 3D printed structures", enabling them to transform or self-assemble in response to external stimuli. Due to the dynamic nature, 4D printing has demonstrated tremendous potential in a range of industries, encompassing aerospace, healthcare, and intelligent devices. Nanotechnology has gained considerable attention owing to the exceptional properties and functions of nanomaterials. Incorporating nanomaterials into an intelligent matrix enhances the physiochemical properties of 4D printed constructs, introducing novel functions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current applications of nanomaterials in 4D printing, exploring their synergistic potential to create dynamic and responsive structures. Nanomaterials play diverse roles as rheology modifiers, mechanical enhancers, function introducers, and more. The overarching goal of this review is to inspire researchers to delve into the vast potential of nanomaterial-enabled 4D printing, propelling advancements in this rapidly evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengbo Guo
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Haitao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Tarun Agarwal
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Lijie Grace Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
- Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
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2
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Liu G, Deng Y, Ni B, Nguyen GTM, Vancaeyzeele C, Brûlet A, Vidal F, Plesse C, Li MH. Electroactive Bi-Functional Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2307565. [PMID: 37946670 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202307565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) with promising applications in the field of actuators and soft robotics are reported. However, most of them are activated by external heating or light illumination. The examples of electroactive LCEs are still limited; moreover, they are monofunctional with one type of deformation (bending or contraction). Here, the study reports on trilayer electroactive LCE (eLCE) by intimate combination of LCE and ionic electroactive polymer device (i-EAD). This eLCE is bi-functional and can perform either bending or contractile deformations by the control of the low-voltage stimulation. By applying a voltage of ±2 V at 0.1 Hz, the redox behavior and associated ionic motion provide a bending strain difference of 0.80%. Besides, by applying a voltage of ±6 V at 10 Hz, the ionic current-induced Joule heating triggers the muscle-like linear contraction with 20% strain for eLCE without load. With load, eLCE can lift a weight of 270 times of eLCE-actuator weight, while keeping 20% strain and affording 5.38 kJ·m-3 work capacity. This approach of combining two smart polymer technologies (LCE and i-EAD) in a single device is promising for the development of smart materials with multiple degrees of freedom in soft robotics, electronic devices, and sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoyu Liu
- Chimie ParisTech, Université Paris Sciences & Lettres, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, UMR8247, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Yakui Deng
- Chimie ParisTech, Université Paris Sciences & Lettres, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, UMR8247, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Bin Ni
- Chimie ParisTech, Université Paris Sciences & Lettres, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, UMR8247, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Giao T M Nguyen
- CY Cergy Paris Université, Laboratoire de physicochimie des polymères et des interfaces (LPPI), 5 mail Gay Lussac, Cergy-Pontoise, Cedex, 95031, France
| | - Cédric Vancaeyzeele
- CY Cergy Paris Université, Laboratoire de physicochimie des polymères et des interfaces (LPPI), 5 mail Gay Lussac, Cergy-Pontoise, Cedex, 95031, France
| | - Annie Brûlet
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR12 CEA-CNRS, CEA Saclay, 3 rue Joliot Curie, Gif sur Yvette, Cedex, 91191, France
| | - Frédéric Vidal
- CY Cergy Paris Université, Laboratoire de physicochimie des polymères et des interfaces (LPPI), 5 mail Gay Lussac, Cergy-Pontoise, Cedex, 95031, France
| | - Cédric Plesse
- CY Cergy Paris Université, Laboratoire de physicochimie des polymères et des interfaces (LPPI), 5 mail Gay Lussac, Cergy-Pontoise, Cedex, 95031, France
| | - Min-Hui Li
- Chimie ParisTech, Université Paris Sciences & Lettres, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris, UMR8247, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, 75005, France
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3
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Liu Z, Jiang Q, Bisoyi HK, Zhu G, Nie ZZ, Jiang K, Yang H, Li Q. Multifunctional Ionic Conductive Anisotropic Elastomers with Self-Wrinkling Microstructures by In Situ Phase Separation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37267423 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Multifunctional flexible sensors are the development trend of wearable electronic devices in the future. As the core of flexible sensors, the key is to construct a stable multifunctional integrated conductive elastomer. Here, ionic conductive elastomers (ICEs) with self-wrinkling microstructures are designed and prepared by in situ phase separation induced by a one-step polymerization reaction. The ICEs are composed of ionic liquids as ionic conductors doped into liquid crystal elastomers. The doped ionic liquids cluster into small droplets and in situ induce the formation of wrinkle structures on the upper surface of the films. The prepared ICEs exhibit mechanochromism, conductivity, large tensile strain, low hysteresis, high cycle stability, and sensitivity during the tension-release process, which achieve dual-mode outputs of optical and electrical signals for information transmission and sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyang Liu
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Hari Krishna Bisoyi
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
| | - Guanqun Zhu
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Zhen-Zhou Nie
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Kun Jiang
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Quan Li
- Institute of Advanced Materials and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Materials Science Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, United States
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4
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Abstract
The piezoelectric effect was discovered over a century ago, and it has found wide application since that time. The direct piezoelectric effect is the production of charge upon application of force to a material, and the converse piezoelectric effect is a change in the material dimension(s) upon the application of a potential. To date, piezoelectric effects have been observed only in solid-phase materials. We report here the observation of the direct piezoelectric effect in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The RTILs 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide (BMIM+TFSI-) and 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (HMIM+TFSI-) produce a potential upon the application of force when confined in a cell, with the magnitude of the potential being directly proportional to the force applied. The effect is one order of magnitude smaller than that seen in quartz. This is the first report to our knowledge of the direct piezoelectric effect in a neat liquid. Its discovery has fundamental implications about the organization and dynamics in ionic liquids and invites theoretical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Iqbal Hossain
- Michigan State University, Department of Chemistry, 578 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - G J Blanchard
- Michigan State University, Department of Chemistry, 578 S. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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5
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Iakoubovskii K, Yoshio M. Room-Temperature Zwitterionic Liquid Crystals for Mechanical Actuators. ACS MATERIALS AU 2022; 2:686-689. [PMID: 36855549 PMCID: PMC9928414 DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.2c00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We have developed room-temperature smectic liquid-crystalline (LC) ion conductors by the self-assembly of a zwitterionic mesogenic compound and a series of fluorinated lithium salts. The conductivity of lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide LC complex reached 4 × 10-3 S cm-1 at ambient conditions. This LC complex sandwiched between two conductive polymer electrodes can be used in low-voltage mechanical actuators with a peak-to-peak bending deflection of ca. 20 mm upon ±1 V, 0.03 Hz excitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Iakoubovskii
- Research
Center for Functional Materials, National
Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan,
| | - Masafumi Yoshio
- Research
Center for Functional Materials, National
Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan,Graduate
School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan,
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6
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Cao S, Aimi J, Yoshio M. Electroactive Soft Actuators Based on Columnar Ionic Liquid Crystal/Polymer Composite Membrane Electrolytes Forming 3D Continuous Ionic Channels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:43701-43710. [PMID: 36044399 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c11029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Here, we report low-voltage-driven fast-response nanostructured columnar ionic liquid crystal/polymer composite actuators that form three-dimensional continuous ion channels. A three-component self-assembly of a zwitterionic rod-like molecule (49.5 wt %), an ionic liquid (27.5 wt %), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (23.0 wt %) provided a free-standing stretchable membrane electrolyte. The dissociated ions can move through a continuous 3D ionophilic matrix surrounding the hydrophobic columns formed by the hexagonally organized rod-mesogens. Three-layer actuators composed of the electrolyte film sandwiched between two conductive polymer film electrodes of doped polythiophene exhibited a bending motion with 0.32% strain and moved 2 mm within 220 ms under 1 V at 0.1 Hz in 70% relative humidity due to the formation of electric double layers at the soft solid electrolyte/electrode interfaces. The bending strain of the columnar nanostructured actuator is comparable to those of polymer iongel actuators and block polymer actuators containing 25-80 wt % of ionic liquids. It is noteworthy that a small number of ions organized into the 3D nanochannels can generate the large bending deformation, which can contribute to reduce the risk of leakage of ions and the production cost. In addition, we have demonstrated a low-voltage-driven deformable mirror actuator that is expected to be applied to optical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Cao
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
| | - Junko Aimi
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
| | - Masafumi Yoshio
- Research Center for Functional Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-8628, Japan
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7
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Tang X, Chang X, Zhu B, Cui L, Jiang B, Meng F, Yan G. Self‐assembly, mesomorphic behavior, and ionic conductivity of polymerized ionic liquid crystals with a threshold switching characteristic. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.5861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiao Tang
- College of Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Featured Biochemical and Chemical Materials Ningde Normal University Ningde China
| | - Xiaolong Chang
- College of Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Boyan Zhu
- College of Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Luan Cui
- College of Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Beihong Jiang
- College of Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Fanbao Meng
- College of Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Guiyang Yan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Featured Biochemical and Chemical Materials Ningde Normal University Ningde China
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8
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Xiao YY, Jiang ZC, Hou JB, Chen XS, Zhao Y. Electrically driven liquid crystal network actuators. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:4850-4867. [PMID: 35730498 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00544a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Soft actuators based on liquid crystal networks (LCNs) have aroused great scientific interest for use as stimuli-controlled shape-changing and moving components for robotic devices due to their fast, large, programmable and solvent-free actuation responses. Recently, various LCN actuators have been implemented in soft robotics using stimulus sources such as heat, light, humidity and chemical reactions. Among them, electrically driven LCN actuators allow easy modulation and programming of the input electrical signals (amplitude, phase, and frequency) as well as stimulation throughout the volume, rendering them promising actuators for practical applications. Herein, the progress of electrically driven LCN actuators regarding their construction, actuation mechanisms, actuation performance, actuation programmability and the design strategies for intelligent systems is elucidated. We also discuss new robotic functions and advanced actuation control. Finally, an outlook is provided, highlighting the research challenges faced with this type of actuator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-Yu Xiao
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Zhi-Chao Jiang
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Jun-Bo Hou
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Xin-Shi Chen
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de Chimie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
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9
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Raistrick T, Reynolds M, Gleeson HF, Mattsson J. Influence of Liquid Crystallinity and Mechanical Deformation on the Molecular Relaxations of an Auxetic Liquid Crystal Elastomer. Molecules 2021; 26:7313. [PMID: 34885896 PMCID: PMC8659252 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26237313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) combine the anisotropic ordering of liquid crystals with the elastic properties of elastomers, providing unique physical properties, such as stimuli responsiveness and a recently discovered molecular auxetic response. Here, we determine how the molecular relaxation dynamics in an acrylate LCE are affected by its phase using broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, calorimetry and rheology. Our LCE is an excellent model system since it exhibits a molecular auxetic response in its nematic state, and chemically identical nematic or isotropic samples can be prepared by cross-linking. We find that the glass transition temperatures (Tg) and dynamic fragilities are similar in both phases, and the T-dependence of the α relaxation shows a crossover at the same T* for both phases. However, for T>T*, the behavior becomes Arrhenius for the nematic LCE, but only more Arrhenius-like for the isotropic sample. We provide evidence that the latter behavior is related to the existence of pre-transitional nematic fluctuations in the isotropic LCE, which are locked in by polymerization. The role of applied strain on the relaxation dynamics and mechanical response of the LCE is investigated; this is particularly important since the molecular auxetic response is linked to a mechanical Fréedericksz transition that is not fully understood. We demonstrate that the complex Young's modulus and the α relaxation time remain relatively unchanged for small deformations, whereas for strains for which the auxetic response is achieved, significant increases are observed. We suggest that the observed molecular auxetic response is coupled to the strain-induced out-of-plane rotation of the mesogen units, in turn driven by the increasing constraints on polymer configurations, as reflected in increasing elastic moduli and α relaxation times; this is consistent with our recent results showing that the auxetic response coincides with the emergence of biaxial order.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Johan Mattsson
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; (T.R.); (M.R.); (H.F.G.)
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10
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Zhang YS, Wang ZQ, Lin JD, Yang PC, Lee CR. Light-Switching Surface Wettability of Chiral Liquid Crystal Networks by Dynamic Change in Nanoscale Topography. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100736. [PMID: 34837422 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Nano- and microscale morphology endows surfaces that play conspicuous roles in natural or artificial objects with unique functions. Surfaces with dynamic regulating features capable of switching the structures, patterns, and even dimensions of their surface profiles can control friction and wettability, thus having potential applications in antibacterial, haptics, and fluid dynamics. Here, a freestanding film with light-switchable surface based on cholesteric liquid crystal networks is presented to translate 2D flat plane into a 3D nanometer-scale topography. The wettability of the interface can be controlled by hiding or revealing the geometrical features of the surfaces with light. This reversible dynamic actuation is obtained through the order parameter change of the periodic cholesteric organization under a photoalignment procedure and lithography-free mode. Complex tailored structures can be used to encrypt tactile information and improve wettability by predesigning the orientation distribution of liquid crystal director. This rapid switching nanoprecision smart surface provides a novel platform for artificial skin, optics, and functional coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Song Zhang
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Qun Wang
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
| | - Jia-De Lin
- Department of Opto-Electronic Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, 974, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chih Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Rong Lee
- Department of Photonics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
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11
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Cao J, Piedrahita CR, Kyu T. Polymer Electrolytes as Energy-Harvesting Materials to Capture Electrical Energy from Dynamic Mechanical Deformations. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 43:e2100204. [PMID: 34773334 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Ionic electroactive polymers (iEAPs) can generate electrical energy under bending deformations exhibiting great potential for fabricating energy harvesters from dynamic vibrating environments. According to a previous study, this flexoelectric energy-harvesting potential is explored in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) assemblies subjected to intermittent square wave bending modes. The above study reveals that the mechanoelectrical transduction is likely to be the consequence of ion polarization under a pressure gradient across the PEM thickness. To further evaluate the applicability of the PEM assemblies for harvesting energy from dynamic environments, oscillatory bending deformation is applied in the present study, whereby the complex flexoelectric coefficient corresponding to dynamic capacitance exhibits strong frequency dependence. At very high oscillatory bending frequencies, the ionic clouds inside the PEM assemblies cannot be fully polarized, and thus the corresponding energy output tends to become smaller. However, the PEM assemblies having higher ionic conductivities can enhance energy output at high frequencies. Of particular interest is that the incorporated ionic liquid (IL) is not only capable of effectively plasticizing the polymer network, but also expediting the ionic conductivity, thereby enhancing the electrical energy output, which in turn provides important design guidance for efficient polymer energy harvesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Cao
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, 250 S Forge Street, Akron, OH, 44325, USA.,School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), HIT Campus of University Town of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Camilo Rendon Piedrahita
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, 250 S Forge Street, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Thein Kyu
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, 250 S Forge Street, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
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12
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Agarwal T, Hann SY, Chiesa I, Cui H, Celikkin N, Micalizzi S, Barbetta A, Costantini M, Esworthy T, Zhang LG, De Maria C, Maiti TK. 4D printing in biomedical applications: emerging trends and technologies. J Mater Chem B 2021; 9:7608-7632. [PMID: 34586145 DOI: 10.1039/d1tb01335a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nature's material systems during evolution have developed the ability to respond and adapt to environmental stimuli through the generation of complex structures capable of varying their functions across direction, distances and time. 3D printing technologies can recapitulate structural motifs present in natural materials, and efforts are currently being made on the technological side to improve printing resolution, shape fidelity, and printing speed. However, an intrinsic limitation of this technology is that printed objects are static and thus inadequate to dynamically reshape when subjected to external stimuli. In recent years, this issue has been addressed with the design and precise deployment of smart materials that can undergo a programmed morphing in response to a stimulus. The term 4D printing was coined to indicate the combined use of additive manufacturing, smart materials, and careful design of appropriate geometries. In this review, we report the recent progress in the design and development of smart materials that are actuated by different stimuli and their exploitation within additive manufacturing to produce biomimetic structures with important repercussions in different but interrelated biomedical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal - 721302, India.
| | - Sung Yun Hann
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Irene Chiesa
- Research Center "E. Piaggio" and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Haitao Cui
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Nehar Celikkin
- Institute of Physical Chemistry - Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Simone Micalizzi
- Research Center "E. Piaggio" and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Barbetta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome "La Sapienza", 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Costantini
- Institute of Physical Chemistry - Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Timothy Esworthy
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Lijie Grace Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA. .,Department of Electrical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.,Department of Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Research Center "E. Piaggio" and Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Tapas Kumar Maiti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal - 721302, India.
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13
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Rajapaksha CPH, Gunathilaka MDT, Narute S, Albehaijan H, Piedrahita C, Paudel P, Feng C, Lüssem B, Kyu T, Jákli A. Flexo-Ionic Effect of Ionic Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144234. [PMID: 34299509 PMCID: PMC8304522 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The first study of the flexo-ionic effect, i.e., mechanical deformation-induced electric signal, of the recently discovered ionic liquid crystal elastomers (iLCEs) is reported. The measured flexo-ionic coefficients were found to strongly depend on the director alignment of the iLCE films and can be over 200 µC/m. This value is orders of magnitude higher than the flexo-electric coefficient found in insulating liquid crystals and is comparable to the well-developed ionic polymers (iEAPs). The shortest response times, i.e., the largest bandwidth of the flexo-ionic responses, is achieved in planar alignment, when the director is uniformly parallel to the substrates. These results render high potential for iLCE-based devices for applications in sensors and wearable micropower generators.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suresh Narute
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA; (S.N.); (H.A.); (C.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Hamad Albehaijan
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA; (S.N.); (H.A.); (C.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Camilo Piedrahita
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA; (S.N.); (H.A.); (C.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Pushpa Paudel
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA; (C.P.H.R.); (P.P.); (B.L.)
| | - Chenrun Feng
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA; (M.D.T.G.); (C.F.)
| | - Björn Lüssem
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA; (C.P.H.R.); (P.P.); (B.L.)
| | - Thein Kyu
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA; (S.N.); (H.A.); (C.P.); (T.K.)
| | - Antal Jákli
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA; (C.P.H.R.); (P.P.); (B.L.)
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA; (M.D.T.G.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Self-assembly, liquid crystalline behavior and electrorheological performance of phthalocyanine-contaning polysiloxanes. Eur Polym J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2021.110417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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15
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Wang M, Cheng ZW, Zuo B, Chen XM, Huang S, Yang H. Liquid Crystal Elastomer Electric Locomotives. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:860-865. [PMID: 35648519 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this letter, we present an electro-driven cylindrical actuator system composed of a bilayered liquid crystal elastomer/carbon black (LCE/CB) electro-driven soft actuator and a conductive track. The bilayered LCE/CB electro-driven actuator consists of an inner LCE circular band and several U-shaped CB conductive regions stuck on the outer surface of the LCE ring. Benefiting from the effective Joule heating of CB powder and the consequential inhomogeneous stress generated inside the bilayered LCE/CB film, the cylindrical actuator can roll forward with a rate of 1.6 mm/s along a stationary copper conductive track powered by a 50 V direct current supply. The dynamic connection between the rolling actuator and the conductive track effectively eliminates the limitation of electric wires in the complicated actuation set-ups of the LCE materials. This work might promote the development of electro-driven LCE actuators and have potential applications in the fields of soft robots and electric devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-medical Research, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-medical Research, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Bo Zuo
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-medical Research, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Xu-Man Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-medical Research, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Shuai Huang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-medical Research, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Hong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Bio-medical Research, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
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16
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McCracken JM, Donovan BR, White TJ. Materials as Machines. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1906564. [PMID: 32133704 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201906564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Machines are systems that harness input power to extend or advance function. Fundamentally, machines are based on the integration of materials with mechanisms to accomplish tasks-such as generating motion or lifting an object. An emerging research paradigm is the design, synthesis, and integration of responsive materials within or as machines. Herein, a particular focus is the integration of responsive materials to enable robotic (machine) functions such as gripping, lifting, or motility (walking, crawling, swimming, and flying). Key functional considerations of responsive materials in machine implementations are response time, cyclability (frequency and ruggedness), sizing, payload capacity, amenability to mechanical programming, performance in extreme environments, and autonomy. This review summarizes the material transformation mechanisms, mechanical design, and robotic integration of responsive materials including shape memory alloys (SMAs), piezoelectrics, dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), ionic electroactive polymers (IEAPs), pneumatics and hydraulics systems, shape memory polymers (SMPs), hydrogels, and liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) and networks (LCNs). Structural and geometrical fabrication of these materials as wires, coils, films, tubes, cones, unimorphs, bimorphs, and printed elements enables differentiated mechanical responses and consistently enables and extends functional use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselle M McCracken
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Brian R Donovan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Timothy J White
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
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17
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The diffusion, structural relaxation, and fragility of [VIO2+][Tf2N−]2 ionic liquid. J Mol Model 2020; 26:55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-020-4317-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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18
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Rajapaksha CPH, Feng C, Piedrahita C, Cao J, Kaphle V, Lüssem B, Kyu T, Jákli A. Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Based Electro-Active Ionic Elastomer. Macromol Rapid Commun 2020; 41:e1900636. [PMID: 32022395 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201900636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Preparation and low voltage induced bending (converse flexoelectricity) of crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), modified with thiosiloxane (TS) and ionic liquid (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate) (IL) are reported. In between 2µm PEDOT:PSS electrodes at 1 V, it provides durable (95% retention under 5000 cycles) and relatively fast (2 s switching time) actuation with the second largest strain observed so far in ionic electro-active polymers (iEAPs). In between 40 nm gold electrodes under 8 V DC voltage, the film can be completely curled up (270° bending angle) with 6% strain that, to the best of the knowledge, is unpreceded among iEAPs. These results render great potential for the TS/PEGDA/IL based electro-active actuators for soft robotic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chenrun Feng
- Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Camilo Piedrahita
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Jinwei Cao
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Vikash Kaphle
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Björn Lüssem
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA
| | - Thein Kyu
- Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Antal Jákli
- Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA.,Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44240, USA.,MTA Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Budapest, H1525, Hungary
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19
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Huang X, Ford M, Patterson ZJ, Zarepoor M, Pan C, Majidi C. Shape memory materials for electrically-powered soft machines. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:4539-4551. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00392a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
We review the recent progress of electrically-powered artificial muscles and soft machines using shape memory alloy and liquid crystal elastomer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Huang
- Soft Machines Lab
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh
- USA
| | - Michael Ford
- Soft Machines Lab
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh
- USA
| | | | - Masoud Zarepoor
- Soft Machines Lab
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh
- USA
- Mechanical Engineering
| | - Chengfeng Pan
- Soft Machines Lab
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh
- USA
| | - Carmel Majidi
- Soft Machines Lab
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh
- USA
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