Comprehensive Study of Actuation Mechanisms and Applications in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Networks and Elastomer from Nanometer Precision to Macroscale Functionality

Abstract

Liquid crystalline polymer networks (LCNs) and liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) possess unique properties that enable structural deformation in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light, and electric fields. These deformations occur across a wide range of scales, from nanometers to macroscopic scales. This review aims to comprehensively address the actuation mechanisms observed in LCN and LCE-based structures across various scales. First, actuation phenomena are explored at the nanoscale and investigate the potential applications of these mechanisms in nanodevices and nanoscale systems. Next, deformations at the microscale, presenting case studies involving applications in micro-robotics and micro-actuators, are analyzed. Finally, it is examined how structural deformations at the macroscale can be utilized in large systems, such as macro devices and soft robotics. By investigating scale-dependent actuation characteristics, this paper provides an integrated perspective on LCN and LCE research, emphasizing their transformative potential for next-generation applications.