Liquid crystal elastomer ( LCEs ) are often talked about like some kind of material of the hereafter , serving as a likely nominee for everything from artificial muscles and medical equipment to aerospace applications andgecko - like sticky suits .
However , researchers have often shin to form these materials into three - dimensional structures – until now . As account in theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , scientists have used new brainstorm to create three - dimensional LCEs that can shift shape in any direction in reply to multiple types of stimuli .
In an particularly nerveless manifestation of this feat , they have develop what they call “ microscopic helianthus ” that could be placed onto solar panels and bend to follow the sunshine for better zip capture .
The microstructure comprise of tiny tower made of alight - responsive melted quartz elastomer . However , they also found standardized structures that turn in response to rut and humidity , each controlled by their own chemical and material place . Crucially , the microstructure also respond to magnetic fields . With this insight , they were able-bodied to deform the LCE shapes and wangle their liquid crystalline structures into desire material body .
" What ’s critical about this project is that we are able to control the molecular construction by align liquid crystals in an arbitrary direction in 3D space , allowing us to program about any shape into the geometry of the stuff itself , " first source Yuxing Yao , a graduate educatee at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard , said in astatement .
The microstructures did , however , repay to their original pattern when exposed to an ambient temperature . You might see this as a downside of the uncovering , however , the researchers argue it ’s just another welfare . For exemplar , it could be used to create code messages that are only revealed under sure conditions or adhesive materials whose stickiness can be switched on and off .
That ’s just the beginning of liquid crystal ' potential , however . Another study , alsopublished this hebdomad , has used LCEs to create a cloth with an interesting and useful dimension : it is auxetic . This intend that if you stretch out it , it does n’t get thin , it fuck off fatter .
" Auxetics are also great at muscularity absorption and resisting fracture , ” lead author Dr Devesh Mistry , from the University of Leeds in the UK , said in astatement . “ There may be many possible applications for material with these properties including body armor , architecture , and aesculapian equipment . We have already submitted a patent and are talking to industry about the next step . "
