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Liquid Crystalline Dielectric Elastomer with Thermo- and Light-guided Multimodal Electrical Actuations.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Liquid Crystalline Dielectric Elastomer with Thermo- and Light-guided Multimodal Electrical Actuations.
Authors: Xiong, Sha-Fan1 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Cheng-Cheng2 (AUTHOR) 11928059@zju.edu.cn, Jin, Bin-Jie1 (AUTHOR) binjiejin@scut.edu.cn, Guo, Bao-Chun1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Chinese Journal of Polymer Science (Springer Science & Business Media B.V.). May2026, Vol. 44 Issue 5, p1457-1464. 8p.
Subjects: Azobenzene, Smart materials, Polymer liquid crystals, Soft robotics
Abstract: Dielectric elastomers (DEs) actuated via the space charge mechanism are characterized by low driving electric fields (2–10 V/µm) and geometry-dependent actuation modes. Liquid crystalline dielectric elastomers (LC-DEs) leverage shape changes induced by thermo-responsive order-disorder transitions to alter their actuation mode with temperature. However, such systems are currently limited to thermal responsiveness and exhibit only two actuation modes-a constraint that stands in stark contrast to the flexibility and diverse actuation capabilities of natural muscles. To overcome this limitation, we present an azobenzene-based liquid crystalline dielectric elastomer (A-LC-DE) capable of multimodal actuation, enabled by its dual thermo- and photo-responsive shape-changing properties. The incorporation of azobenzene moieties allows for mesogen alignment via light attenuation during photo-inhibited network formation. This facilitates programmable thermo-responsive shape changes by varying the irradiation conditions during synthesis, thereby enabling two distinct dielectric actuation modes upon heating and cooling. Furthermore, the trans-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene endows the A-LC-DE with dynamic, light-responsive shape-changing behavior. This capability allows for the creation of diverse and reconfigurable actuation modes through spatially localized irradiation. As a result, our A-LC-DE exhibits multimodal electrical actuation that can be selectively guided by external thermal and optical stimuli, promising enhanced adaptability for future soft robotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Dielectric elastomers (DEs) actuated via the space charge mechanism are characterized by low driving electric fields (2–10 V/µm) and geometry-dependent actuation modes. Liquid crystalline dielectric elastomers (LC-DEs) leverage shape changes induced by thermo-responsive order-disorder transitions to alter their actuation mode with temperature. However, such systems are currently limited to thermal responsiveness and exhibit only two actuation modes-a constraint that stands in stark contrast to the flexibility and diverse actuation capabilities of natural muscles. To overcome this limitation, we present an azobenzene-based liquid crystalline dielectric elastomer (A-LC-DE) capable of multimodal actuation, enabled by its dual thermo- and photo-responsive shape-changing properties. The incorporation of azobenzene moieties allows for mesogen alignment via light attenuation during photo-inhibited network formation. This facilitates programmable thermo-responsive shape changes by varying the irradiation conditions during synthesis, thereby enabling two distinct dielectric actuation modes upon heating and cooling. Furthermore, the trans-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene endows the A-LC-DE with dynamic, light-responsive shape-changing behavior. This capability allows for the creation of diverse and reconfigurable actuation modes through spatially localized irradiation. As a result, our A-LC-DE exhibits multimodal electrical actuation that can be selectively guided by external thermal and optical stimuli, promising enhanced adaptability for future soft robotic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:02567679
DOI:10.1007/s10118-026-3603-z