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Xu Z, Zhu Y, Ai Y, Zhou D, Wu F, Li C, Chen L. Programmable, Self-Healable, and Photochromic Liquid Crystal Elastomers Based on Dynamic Hindered Urea Bonds for Biomimetic Flowers. Small 2024:e2400520. [PMID: 38733234 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Recently, researchers have been exploring the use of dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) in the construction of exchangeable liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) for biomimetic actuators and devices. However, a significant challenge remains in achieving LCEs with both excellent dynamic properties and superior mechanical strength and stability. In this study, a diacrylate-functionalized monomer containing dynamic hindered urea bonds (DA-HUB) is employed to prepare exchangeable LCEs through a self-catalytic Michael addition reaction. By incorporating DA-HUB, the LCE system benefits from DCBs and hydrogen bonding, leading to materials with high mechanical strength and a range of dynamic properties such as programmability, self-healing, and recyclability. Leveraging these characteristics, bilayer LCE actuators with controlled reversible thermal deformation and outstanding dimensional stability are successfully fabricated using a simple welding method. Moreover, a biomimetic triangular plum, inspired by the blooming of flowers, is created to showcase reversible color and shape changes triggered by light and heat. This innovative approach opens new possibilities for the development of biomimetic and smart actuators and devices with multiple functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentian Xu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yangyang Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yun Ai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants, Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, 696 Fenghe South Avenue, Nanchang, 330063, China
| | - Feiyan Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Chunquan Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Lie Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
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2
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Jiang Z, Tran BH, Jolfaei MA, Abbasi BBA, Spinks GM. Crack-Resistant and Tissue-Like Artificial Muscles with Low Temperature Activation and High Power Density. Adv Mater 2024:e2402278. [PMID: 38657958 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Constructing soft robotics with safe human-machine interactions requires low-modulus, high-power-density artificial muscles that are sensitive to gentle stimuli. In addition, the ability to resist crack propagation during long-term actuation cycles is essential for a long service life. Herein, a material design is proposed to combine all these desirable attributes in a single artificial muscle platform. The design involves the molecular engineering of a liquid crystalline network with crystallizable segments and an ethylene glycol flexible spacer. A high degree of crystallinity can be afforded by utilizing aza-Michael chemistry to produce a low covalent crosslinking density, resulting in crack-insensitivity with a high fracture energy of 33 720 J m-2 and a high fatigue threshold of 2250 J m-2. Such crack-resistant artificial muscle with tissue-matched modulus of 0.7 MPa can generate a high power density of 450 W kg-1 at a low temperature of 40 °C. Notably, because of the presence of crystalline domains in the actuated state, no crack propagation is observed after 500 heating-cooling actuation cycles under a static load of 220 kPa. This study points to a pathway for the creation of artificial muscles merging seemingly disparate, but desirable properties, broadening their application potential in smart devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jiang
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Bach H Tran
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Maryam Adavoudi Jolfaei
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Burhan Bin Asghar Abbasi
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Geoffrey M Spinks
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
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3
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Nie ZZ, Wang M, Yang H. Self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators. Commun Chem 2024; 7:58. [PMID: 38503863 PMCID: PMC10951225 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01142-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-sustainable autonomous locomotion is a non-equilibrium phenomenon and an advanced intelligence of soft-bodied organisms that exhibit the abilities of perception, feedback, decision-making, and self-sustainment. However, artificial self-sustaining architectures are often derived from algorithms and onboard modules of soft robots, resulting in complex fabrication, limited mobility, and low sensitivity. Self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators have emerged as naturally evolving systems that do not require human intervention. With shape-morphing materials integrating in their structural design, soft actuators can direct autonomous responses to complex environmental changes and achieve robust self-sustaining motions under sustained stimulation. This perspective article discusses the recent advances in self-sustainable autonomous soft actuators. Specifically, shape-morphing materials, motion characteristics, built-in negative feedback loops, and constant stimulus response patterns used in autonomous systems are summarized. Artificial self-sustaining autonomous concepts, modes, and deformation-induced functional applications of soft actuators are described. The current challenges and future opportunities for self-sustainable actuation systems are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhou Nie
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Meng Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Hong Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Materials, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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4
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Zhang C, Fei G, Lu X, Xia H, Zhao Y. Liquid Crystal Elastomer Artificial Tendrils with Asymmetric Core-Sheath Structure Showing Evolutionary Biomimetic Locomotion. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2307210. [PMID: 37805917 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The sophisticated and complex haptonastic movements in response to environmental-stimuli of living organisms have always fascinated scientists. However, how to fundamentally mimic the sophisticated hierarchical architectures of living organisms to provide the artificial counterparts with similar or even beyond-natural functions based on the underlying mechanism remains a major scientific challenge. Here, liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) artificial tendrils showing evolutionary biomimetic locomotion are developed following the structure-function principle that is used in nature to grow climbing plants. These elaborately designed tendril-like LCE actuators possess an asymmetric core-sheath architecture which shows a higher-to-lower transition in the degree of LC orientation from the sheath-to-core layer across the semi-ellipse cross-section. Upon heating and cooling, the LCE artificial tendril can undergo reversible tendril-like shape-morphing behaviors, such as helical coiling/winding, and perversion. The fundamental mechanism of the helical shape-morphing of the artificial tendril is revealed by using theoretical models and finite element simulations. Besides, the incorporation of metal-ligand coordination into the LCE network provides the artificial tendril with reconfigurable shape-morphing performances such as helical transitions and rotational deformations. Finally, the abilities of helical and rotational deformations are integrated into a new reprogrammed flagellum-like architecture to perform evolutionary locomotion mimicking the haptonastic movements of the natural flagellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Guoxia Fei
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xili Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Hesheng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Département de chimie Université de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
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Dong Z, Ma F, Wei X, Zhang L, Ding Y, Shi L, Chen C, Ma Y, Ma Y. Injectable, thermo-sensitive and self-adhesive supramolecular hydrogels built from binary herbal small molecules towards reusable antibacterial coatings. RSC Adv 2024; 14:2027-2035. [PMID: 38196913 PMCID: PMC10774861 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07882e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Herbal hydrogels as a new class of sustainable functional materials have attracted extensive attention. However, the development of herbal hydrogels is significantly hindered due to their poor hydrogel performances and the lack of universal preparation methods. In this study, four herbal hydrogels composed of phytochemical polyphenols and stevioside compounds are prepared through a facile heating-cooling process, where multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between two monomers provide the main driving force for gelation. These herbal hydrogels exhibit thermo-sensitivity and good reversibility (25-90 °C), robust adhesion behaviours on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces (maximum adhesion strength of 591.7 kPa), and outstanding antibacterial properties (100% bacteriostatic ratio). Profiting from these intriguing characteristics, they are demonstrated to show great potential as natural antibacterial coatings by depositing thin hydrogel layers onto diverse substrates. More importantly, the hydrogel coatings could be easily recycled by thermal regelation and reused at least 5 times. This work proposes a simple and universal strategy for preparing functional hydrogels based on binary herbal small molecules, which also sheds light on the development of reusable hydrogel coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Dong
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Fengjun Ma
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Xiaocen Wei
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Yongling Ding
- School of Transportation Civil Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University Jinan 250357 P.R. China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Yuxia Ma
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
| | - Yuning Ma
- Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan 250355 P.R. China
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Zhao F, Li Y, Gao H, Tao R, Mao Y, Chen Y, Zhou S, Zhao J, Wang D. Design and Characterization of Deformable Superstructures Based on Amine-Acrylate Liquid Crystal Elastomers. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2303594. [PMID: 37942681 PMCID: PMC10754073 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Deformable superstructures are man-made materials with large deformation properties that surpass those of natural materials. However, traditional deformable superstructures generally use conventional materials as substrates, limiting their applications in multi-mode reconfigurable robots and space-expandable morphing structures. In this work, amine-acrylate-based liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are used as deformable superstructures substrate to provide high driving stress and strain. By changing the molar ratio of amine to acrylate, the thermal and mechanical properties of the LCEs are modified. The LCE with a ratio of 0.9 exhibited improved polymerization degree, elongation at break, and toughness. Besides an anisotropic finite deformation model based on hyperelastic theory is developed for the LCEs to capture the configuration variation under temperature activation. Built upon these findings, an LCE-based paper-cutting structure with negative Poisson's ratio and a 2D lattice superstructure model are combined, processed, and molded by laser cutting. The developed superstructure is pre-programmed to the configuration required for service conditions, and the deformation processes are analyzed using both experimental and finite element methods. This study is expected to advance the application of deformable superstructures and LCEs in the fields of defense and military, aerospace, and bionic robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- Division of Material EngineeringChina Academy of Space TechnologyBeijing100094P. R. China
- Department of Materials Physics and ChemistrySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083P. R. China
| | - Yuzhan Li
- Department of Materials Physics and ChemistrySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083P. R. China
| | - Hong Gao
- Division of Material EngineeringChina Academy of Space TechnologyBeijing100094P. R. China
| | - Ran Tao
- Institute of Advanced Structure TechnologyBeijing Institute of TechnologyBeijing100081P. R. China
| | - Yiqi Mao
- Department of engineering mechanicsCollege of Mechanical and Vehicle EngineeringHunan UniversityChangshaHunan410082P. R. China
| | - Yu Chen
- Institute of Advanced Structure TechnologyBeijing Institute of TechnologyBeijing100081P. R. China
| | - Sheng Zhou
- Institute of Advanced Structure TechnologyBeijing Institute of TechnologyBeijing100081P. R. China
| | - Jianming Zhao
- Department of Materials Physics and ChemistrySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083P. R. China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Materials Physics and ChemistrySchool of Materials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Science and Technology BeijingBeijing100083P. R. China
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7
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Fan Y, Liu T, Li Y, Miao X, Chen B, Ding J, Dong Z, Rios O, Bao B, Lin Q, Zhu L. One-Step Manufacturing of Supramolecular Liquid-Crystal Elastomers by Stress-Induced Alignment and Hydrogen Bond Exchange. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202308793. [PMID: 37496468 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202308793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-crystal elastomers (LCEs) capable of performing large and reversible deformation in response to an external stimulus are an important class of soft actuators. However, their manufacturing process typically involves a multistep approach that requires harsh conditions. For the very first time, LCEs with customized geometries that can be manufactured by a rapid one-step approach at room temperature are developed. The LCEs are hydrogen bond (H-bond) crosslinked main chain polymers comprising flexible short side chains. Applying a stretching/shear force to the LCE can simultaneously induce mesogen alignment and H-bond exchange, allowing for the formation of well-aligned LCE networks stabilized by H-bonds. Based on this working principle, soft actuators in fibers and 2D/3D objects can be manufactured by mechanical stretching or melt extrusion within a short time (e.g. <1 min). These actuators can perform reversible macroscopic motions with large, controlled deformations up to 38 %. The dynamic nature of H-bonds also provides the actuators with reprocessability and reprogrammability. Thus, this work opens the way for the one-step and custom manufacturing of soft actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexin Fan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Tuan Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Yuzhan Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Xuepei Miao
- School of Chemical Engineering and Materials, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou, 213032, P. R. China
| | - Baihang Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Jian Ding
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Zhixiang Dong
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, P. R. China
| | - Orlando Rios
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Bingkun Bao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Qiuning Lin
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
| | - Linyong Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, P. R. China
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Yue L, Macrae Montgomery S, Sun X, Yu L, Song Y, Nomura T, Tanaka M, Jerry Qi H. Single-vat single-cure grayscale digital light processing 3D printing of materials with large property difference and high stretchability. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1251. [PMID: 36878943 PMCID: PMC9988868 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36909-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Multimaterial additive manufacturing has important applications in various emerging fields. However, it is very challenging due to material and printing technology limitations. Here, we present a resin design strategy that can be used for single-vat single-cure grayscale digital light processing (g-DLP) 3D printing where light intensity can locally control the conversion of monomers to form from a highly stretchable soft organogel to a stiff thermoset within in a single layer of printing. The high modulus contrast and high stretchability can be realized simultaneously in a monolithic structure at a high printing speed (z-direction height 1 mm/min). We further demonstrate that the capability can enable previously unachievable or hard-to-achieve 3D printed structures for biomimetic designs, inflatable soft robots and actuators, and soft stretchable electronics. This resin design strategy thus provides a material solution in multimaterial additive manufacture for a variety of emerging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yue
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - S Macrae Montgomery
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Xiaohao Sun
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Luxia Yu
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Yuyang Song
- Toyota Research Institute of North America, Toyota Motor North America, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA
| | - Tsuyoshi Nomura
- Toyota Central R&D Laboratories, Inc., Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-0004, Japan
| | - Masato Tanaka
- Toyota Research Institute of North America, Toyota Motor North America, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA
| | - H Jerry Qi
- The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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9
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Qu G, Zhang X, Li S, Lu L, Gao J, Yu B, Wu S, Zhang Q, Hu Z. Liquid crystal random lasers. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 25:48-63. [PMID: 36477742 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02859j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The enthusiasm for research on liquid crystal random lasers (LCRLs) is driven by their unusual optical properties and promising potential for broad applications in manufacturing, communications, medicine and entertainment. From this perspective, we will summarize the most attractive advances in the development of LCRLs in the last decade and propose future prospects. This article will begin with a fundamental description of LCRLs, including the principle of laser generation and a description of LC substances. Then, we spend several chapters on the lasing performance control methods of LCRLs, including random lasing wavelength, threshold, and polarization properties. In addition, we analyze how the LC chiral agent structures, LC core-shell structures and new light-amplifying materials affect the design of LCRL devices. In the last chapter, we discuss the application of LCRLs in 3D displays, information encryption, biochemical sensing and other optoelectronics devices and finally end the perspective with LCRLs' likely directions in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyin Qu
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Acquisition and Manipulation of Ministry of Education, Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Acquisition and Manipulation of Ministry of Education, Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Siqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Acquisition and Manipulation of Ministry of Education, Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Liang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Acquisition and Manipulation of Ministry of Education, Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Jiangang Gao
- Department of Polymeric Materials and Engineering, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, 241000, Anhui, China
| | - Benli Yu
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Acquisition and Manipulation of Ministry of Education, Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Si Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Qijin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Zhijia Hu
- Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronic Information Acquisition and Manipulation of Ministry of Education, Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China.
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10
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Gao J, He Y, Cong X, Yi H, Guo J. Reconfigurable Fluorescent Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Integrated Visual and Haptic Information Storage. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:53348-53358. [PMID: 36395006 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The rapid advancements in information technology require new information storage and display materials. However, the development of on-demand information storage systems with multiple modes remains a significant challenge. As a pioneering approach, this study designed an integrated visual and haptic information storage and display using a reconfigurable fluorescent liquid crystal elastomer (FLCE) with dynamic covalent bonds. The FLCEs were fabricated in two steps of amine-acrylate aza-Michael addition and photopolymerization, and they simultaneously exhibited phototunable fluorescence caused by the reversible Z/E photoisomerization of the chromophores and a reprogrammable shape owing to the catalyst-free transesterification. In addition, we established various information storage and display modes featuring the characteristics of reversibly photoswitchable fluorescence, shape memory, and thermally reconfigurable shape with a reconfigurable FLCE system. Moreover, a strategy to display the information by incorporating both visual and haptic feedback is implemented for fulfilling the needs of the visually impaired and related users. Such reconfigurable FLCE systems will aid in the development of on-demand information storage, display, and protection devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Gao
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Yanrong He
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Xiaoyang Cong
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Huijie Yi
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
| | - Jinbao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Fibers and Functional Polymers, Ministry of Education, and College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing100029, China
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11
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Feng W, Li D, Cheng L. Theoretical study on L-H +-L with identical donors: short strong hydrogen bond or not? J Chem Phys 2022; 157:094302. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0103228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Short strong hydrogen bonds (SSHBs) play crucial role in many chemical processes. Recently, as the representative of SSHBs, [F-H-F]- was experimentally observed. [F-H-F]- has a symmetric structure, which can be described as a H+ acid shared by two terminal F- donors (F--H+-F-). To explore whether two identical donors are bound to result in SSHBs, we performed theoretical studies on a series of compounds (L-H+-L) with two identical electron donors (L corresponds to donors containing group 14, 15, 16 and 17 elements). The results show that identical donors do not definitely lead to SSHBs. Instead, typical hydrogen bonds also exist. We found that both electronegativity and basicity contribute to the patterns of hydrogen bonds, where more electronegative and weaker donors benefit to SSHBs. Besides, it was found that zero-point energies also respond to the hydrogen bonding systems. This systemic work is expected to provide more insights into SSHBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanwan Feng
- Anhui University Department of Chemistry, China
| | - Dan Li
- Anhui University - Qingyuan Campus, China
| | - Longjiu Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, Anhui University College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China
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Chen G, Jin B, Shi Y, Zhao Q, Shen Y, Xie T. Rapidly and Repeatedly Reprogrammable Liquid Crystalline Elastomer via a Shape Memory Mechanism. Adv Mater 2022; 34:e2201679. [PMID: 35357046 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Realization of muscle-like actuation for a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) requires mesogen alignment, which is typically achieved/fixed chemically during the synthesis. Post-synthesis regulation of the alignment in a convenient and repeatable manner is highly desirable yet challenging. Here, a dual-phase LCE network is designed and synthesized with a crystalline melting transition above a liquid crystalline transition. The crystalline phase can serve as an "alignment frame" to fix any mechanical deformation via a shape memory mechanism, leading to corresponding mesogen alignment in the liquid crystalline phase. The alignment can be erased by melting, which can be the starting point for reprogramming. This strategy that relies on a physical shape memory transition for mesogen alignment permits repeated reprogramming in a timescale of seconds, in stark contrast to typical methods. It further leads to unusual versatility in designing 3D printed LCE with unlimited programmable actuation modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guancong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Binjie Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Center for X-Mechanics, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yunpeng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Youqing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Tao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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Li Y, Liu T, Ambrogi V, Rios O, Xia M, He W, Yang Z. Liquid Crystalline Elastomers Based on Click Chemistry. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:14842-14858. [PMID: 35319184 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c21096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) have emerged as an important class of functional materials that are suitable for a wide range of applications, such as sensors, actuators, and soft robotics. The unique properties of LCEs originate from the combination between liquid crystal and elastomeric network. The control of macroscopic liquid crystalline orientation and network structure is crucial to realizing the useful functionalities of LCEs. A variety of chemistries have been developed to fabricate LCEs, including hydrosilylation, free radical polymerization of acrylate, and polyaddition of epoxy and carboxylic acid. Over the past few years, the use of click chemistry has become a more robust and energy-efficient way to construct LCEs with desired structures. This article provides an overview of emerging LCEs based on click chemistries, including aza-Michael addition between amine and acrylate, radical-mediated thiol-ene and thiol-yne reactions, base-catalyzed thiol-acrylate and thiol-epoxy reactions, copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, and Diels-Alder cycloaddition. The similarities and differences of these reactions are discussed, with particular attention focused on the strengths and limitations of each reaction for the preparation of LCEs with controlled structures and orientations. The compatibility of these reactions with the traditional and emerging processing techniques, such as surface alignment and additive manufacturing, are surveyed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of using click chemistry for the design of LCEs with advanced functionalities and applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhan Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tuan Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Veronica Ambrogi
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli 80125, Italy
| | - Orlando Rios
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Min Xia
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wanli He
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhou Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
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Hu J, Yu M, Wang M, Choy KL, Yu H. Design, Regulation, and Applications of Soft Actuators Based on Liquid-Crystalline Polymers and Their Composites. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:12951-12963. [PMID: 35259869 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c25103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Soft actuators designed from stimuli-responsive polymers often possess a certain amount of bionic functionality because of their versatile deformation. Liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs) and their composites are among the most fascinating materials for soft actuators due to their great advantages of flexible structure design and easy regulation. In this Spotlight on Applications, we mainly focus on our group's latest research progress in soft actuators based on LCPs and their composites. Some representative research findings from other groups are also included for a better understanding of this research field. Above all, the essential principles for the responsive behavior and reconfigurable performance of the soft actuators are discussed, from the perspective of material morphology and structure design. Further on, we analyze recent work on how to precisely regulate the responsive modes and quantify the operating parameters of soft actuators. Finally, some application examples are given to demonstrate well-designed soft actuators with different functions under varied working environments, which is expected to provide inspiration for future research in developing more intelligent and multifunctional integrated soft actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- College of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, People's Republic of China
- Institute of New Structural Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingming Yu
- College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingqing Wang
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College of London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Kwang-Leong Choy
- Institute for Materials Discovery, University College of London, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Haifeng Yu
- Institute of New Structural Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, and Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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Zhang J, Sun D, Zhang B, Sun Q, Zhang Y, Liu S, Wang Y, Liu C, Chen J, Chen J, Song Y, Liu X. Intrinsic carbon nanotube liquid crystalline elastomer photoactuators for high-definition biomechanics. Mater Horiz 2022; 9:1045-1056. [PMID: 35040453 DOI: 10.1039/d1mh01810h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Photoresponsive soft actuators with the unique merits of flexibility, contactless operation, and remote control have huge potential in technological applications of bionic robotics and biomedical devices. Herein, a facile strategy was proposed to prepare an intrinsically-photoresponsive elastomer by chemically grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a thermally-sensitive liquid-crystalline elastomer (LCE) network. Highly effective dispersion and nematic orientation of CNTs in the intrinsic LCE matrix were observed to yield anchoring energies ranging from 1.65 × 10-5 J m-2 to 5.49 × 10-7 J m-2, which significantly enhanced the mechanical and photothermal properties of the photoresponsive elastomer. When embedding an ultralow loading of CNTs (0.1 wt%), the tensile strength of the LCE increased by 420% to 13.89 MPa (||) and 530% to 3.94 MPa (⊥) and exhibited a stable response to repeated alternating cooling and heating cycles, as well as repeated UV and infrared irradiation. Furthermore, the shape transformation, locomotion, and photo-actuation capabilities allow the CNT/LCE actuator to be applied in high-definition biomechanical applications, such as phototactic flowers, serpentine robots and artificial muscles. This design strategy may provide a promising method to manufacture high-precision, remote-control smart devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juzhong Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Dandan Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Bin Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Qingqing Sun
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Center of Advanced Analysis & Gene Sequencing, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuiren Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yaming Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing & Mold, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Chuntai Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Advanced Polymer Processing Technology, Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials Processing & Mold, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jinzhou Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Jingbo Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yanlin Song
- Key Laboratory of Green Printing, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xuying Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Henan Key Laboratory of Advanced Nylon Materials and Application, Henan Innovation Center for Functional Polymer Membrane Materials, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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Lin X, Zou W, Terentjev EM. Double Networks of Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers with Enhanced Mechanical Strength. Macromolecules 2022; 55:810-820. [PMID: 35572091 PMCID: PMC9097525 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
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Liquid-crystalline elastomers (LCEs)
are frequently used in soft
actuator development. However, applications are limited because LCEs
are prone to mechanical failure when subjected to heavy loads and
high temperatures during the working cycle. A mechanically tough LCE
system offers larger work capacity and lower failure rate for the
actuators. Herein, we adopt the double-network strategy, starting
with a siloxane-based exchangeable LCE and developing a series of
double-network liquid-crystalline elastomers (DN-LCEs) that are mechanically
tougher than the initial elastomer. We incorporate diacrylate reacting
monomers to fabricate DN-LCEs, some of which have the breaking stress
of 40 MPa. We incorporate thermoplastic polyurethane to fabricate
a DN-LCE, achieving an enormous ductility of 90 MJ/m3.
We have also attempted to utilize the aza-Michael chemistry to make
a DN-LCE that retains high plasticity because of several bond-exchange
mechanisms; however, it failed to produce a stable reprocessable LCE
system using conventional ester-based reactive mesogens. Each of these
DN-LCEs exhibits unique features and characteristics, which are compared
and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyan Lin
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Weike Zou
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, P.R. China
| | - Eugene M. Terentjev
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
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