4D Printed Actuators with Soft‐Robotic Functions

• Published in: Macromolecular rapid communications. Vol. 39; no. 5
• Main Authors: López‐Valdeolivas, María, Liu, Danqing, Broer, Dick Jan, Sánchez‐Somolinos, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2018
• Subjects: 3D printing; Actuation; Actuators; adaptive optics; Complexity; Crosslinking; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Elastomers; Liquid crystal polymers; liquid crystalline polymers; Liquid crystals; Microfluidics; Morphing; Optics; Polymers; Soft robotics; Thin films; Three dimensional printing; adaptive optics; liquid crystalline polymers; actuators; soft robotics; 3D printing
• ISSN: 1022-1336; 1521-3927
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201700710

Soft matter elements undergoing programed, reversible shape change can contribute to fundamental advance in areas such as optics, medicine, microfluidics, and robotics. Crosslinked liquid crystalline polymers have demonstrated huge potential to implement soft responsive elements; however, the complexity and size of the actuators are limited by the current dominant thin‐film geometry processing toolbox. Using 3D printing, stimuli‐responsive liquid crystalline elastomeric structures are created here. The printing process prescribes a reversible shape‐morphing behavior, offering a new paradigm for active polymer system preparation. The additive character of this technology also leads to unprecedented geometries, complex functions, and sizes beyond those of typical thin‐films. The fundamental concepts and devices presented therefore overcome the current limitations of actuation energy available from thin‐films, thereby narrowing the gap between materials and practical applications. 3D printing is used to create stimuli‐responsive liquid crystalline elastomeric structures. Printing prescribes the reversible shape‐morphing behavior of the structures, leading to intricate geometries, complex functions, and sizes beyond those fabricated using the current dominant thin‐film geometry processing toolbox. This technology opens new avenues for the development of new shape‐morphing architectures for medicine, microfluidics, adaptive optics, haptics, or soft robotics.