Azobenzene‐Functionalized Semicrystalline Liquid Crystal Elastomer Springs for Underwater Soft Robotic Actuators (Small 8/2025)

Abstract

Underwater Soft Robotic Actuators A new paradigm in morphing devices involves designing molecular- and micro-scale structures in smart materials. In article number 2406493, Taylor H. Ware, Habeom Lee, Hyun Kim, and co-workers present synthesis and processing strategies for light-powered, twisted, and coiled actuator springs. Integrating azobenzene photochemistry into a crystallizable liquid crystalline matrix enables spring designs with enhanced actuation performance for underwater soft robotics.