Underwater Light-driven Linear Actuator based on Liquid Crystal Elastomer
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초록
내용
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), which are lightly cross-linked polymer network that integrates liquid crystalline order and rubber elasticity, has attracted attention in the soft robotics field due to their salient features of programmable and reversible shape morphing with large strain in response to external stimuli. Among the triggering stimuli for untethered soft actuators, optical stimuli are considered promising candidates because of their wireless and local operation capabilities. In terms of the necessity of diverse performances for versatile soft robotics, actuators should be capable of linear deformation not only in the dry situation but also underwater. Here, we introduce an underwater light-driven linear soft actuator by azobenzene-functionalized LCEs with crystallization (A-LCEs). The fabricated actuator demonstrates a large linear strain of over 50% by UV light and fully recovers by VIS light. We expect that this research suggests the novel light-driven actuation mechanism and extends the soft robotic applications.