Stress-Induced Mechanochromism in Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomers Embedded in PDMS
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Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) are gaining notable interest due to their unique mechanochromic properties, which arise from their helical structure with Bragg reflection. These properties make CLCEs suitable for applications in sensors, camouflage, and displays. In this study, we fabricated a mechanochromic panel by embedding CLCE films of varying thicknesses within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. The stress distribution within the PDMS substrate varies according to the type of mechanical deformation, inducing distinct mechanochromic color changes in the CLCE films at different embedded depths. Specifically, when the PDMS substrate is subjected to out-of-plane bending, the inner layers experience compressive stress, while the outer layers undergo tensile stress. By systematically analyzing the mechanochromic color responses to compressive, tensile, and twisting deformations, we demonstrated the viability of CLCEs for integration into mechanochromic display devices.