Welding complex-shaped actuators from dynamic liquid crystal elastomers

Abstract

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are promising materials for constructing and programming soft actuators and small-scale soft robotic systems due to their exceptional stimuli-responsive properties. However, fabricating complex-shaped LCE actuators with controlled shape transformations remains challenging. Herein, we present a welding-based strategy for fabricating light-responsive, multicomponent LCEs with complex shape morphing capabilities while preserving the distinct functional responses of individual components. This approach leverages dynamic disulfide bonds incorporated into surface-aligned, chain-extended LCEs, which enables robust adhesion between LCE segments without disrupting their molecular orientation during welding. The resulting structures seamlessly integrate differently oriented LCE segments, enabling diverse shape-morphing and establishing a platform for weldable, arbitrarily aligned, and complex-shaped LCE actuators.