Paper
9 June 2023 Feedbacks in light-active soft materials
Jianfeng Yang, Haotian Pi, Hang Zhang, Hao Zeng
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
Imitating the self-regulated motions of natural species allows for novel applications in inanimate material systems. These applications include autonomous robotic systems, adaptive devices, and auto-energy harvesting. However, significant challenges exist in accurately controlling stimulus-induced deformations and establishing a reliable relationship between external energy fields and material deformations. In this study, we demonstrate that a simple light-triggered bending actuation in smart material systems based on liquid crystal elastomers is influenced by an opto-mechano-optical feedback mechanism. The pre-curved geometry enables enhance of light absorption upon photothermally induced deformation (from bent to flat), followed by a reduce of energy absorption upon further deformation (from flattening to bending toward the light). This strong nonlinearity in stimulus-induced deformability is governed by positive and negative feedback, and we experimentally verified these mechanisms using a thermal camera. Our results reveal the ubiquitous feedback nature of most light-active polymer systems.
© (2023) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Jianfeng Yang, Haotian Pi, Hang Zhang, and Hao Zeng "Feedbacks in light-active soft materials", Proc. SPIE 12584, Smart Materials for Opto-Electronic Applications, 125840D (9 June 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2665325
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KEYWORDS
Polymeric actuators

Polymers

Light absorption

Negative feedback

Liquid crystals

Actuators

Positive feedback

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