Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mauro Daniel Luigi Bruno, Erica Fuoco, Gia Petriashvili, Giuseppe Papuzzo, Agostino Forestiero, Stefano Sinopoli, Umberto Emanuele, Riccardo Cristoforo Barberi, Maria Penelope De Santo
Summary: A method is presented to fabricate optical fingerprint-like patterns using commercially available chiral nematic liquid crystals confined in microspheres. The patterns are obtained by applying a high-frequency voltage to distort the molecular director orientation of the microspheres. Each microsphere shows a unique and random fingerprint-like pattern, suitable for creating physical unclonable functions (PUFs) keys. The patterns can be stored in a database or used to fabricate electroluminescent labels for anti-counterfeiting purposes. An authentication software is developed to test the robustness of the proposed system.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Buchaiah Gollapelli, Ramadevi Suguru Pathinti, Jayalakshmi Vallamkondu
Summary: Developing superior and adaptable structural colors for anticounterfeiting technologies is still a challenge. In this study, a materials called structural colored cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) is presented, along with synthesized fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs), for anticounterfeit applications. The CLCs doped with CQDs exhibit green reflection in daylight and cyan fluorescence emission under UV light. Glass capillary microfluidic method is also used to create CLC microdroplets doped with fluorescent CQDs.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jialei He, Sizhe Liu, Guohao Gao, Miki Sakai, Mitsuo Hara, Yuto Nakamura, Hideo Kishida, Takahiro Seki, Yukikazu Takeoka
Summary: A scalable and cost-effective process for preparing monodisperse cholesteric liquid crystal (CLCs) particles via dispersion polymerization is reported. The helical pitch of CLCs can be varied by adjusting the particle size, resulting in changes in the structural color hue due to Bragg reflection. The CLCs particles covered with polydimethylsiloxane exhibit improved structural color appearance and thermal stability.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hang Chen, Hailong Hu, Beichen Sun, Haobing Zhao, Yuan Qie, Zhiqi Luo, Youjiang Pan, Wei Chen, Lihua Lin, Kaiyu Yang, Tailiang Guo, Fushan Li
Summary: In this study, a multi-dimensional and multi-level dynamic optical anti-counterfeiting label was constructed using inkjet and screen printing technology, with self-assembled quantum dot patterns providing physical unclonable functions (PUFs). Furthermore, the convolutional residual neural networks were utilized for fast and accurate identification of the anti-counterfeit labels.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bing Bai, Meng Xu, Jianzhong Li, Shuping Zhang, Chen Qiao, Jiajia Liu, Jiatao Zhang
Summary: By introducing extra Cu+ and preventing its loss, the decrease in dopant PL and increase in band-edge PL intensity are successfully suppressed. Cu-doped CdSe@CdS QDs exhibit novel multimode anti-counterfeiting/encryption potential with visible and invisible NIR emissions.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiao Wang, Bing Liu
Summary: We present a unique method to synthesize patchy nanoparticles by controlling the orientation of the molecules through synchronous polymerization and crystallization. The resulting nanoparticles have uniform shapes and a single liquid crystal domain. The patchy properties can be activated or deactivated by solvents, and additional colloidal blocks can be added to create triblock patchy dumbbells with integrated optical properties. These nanoparticles demonstrate triple-mode optical authentication and can be used in anti-counterfeiting labels or patterns. Furthermore, the patchy cylinders can serve as building blocks for long liquid crystal rods or porous colloidal materials.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenjuan Han, Xiaokun Wen, Yadan Ding, Zhipeng Li, Ming Lu, Hancheng Zhu, Guorui Wang, Jiayi Yan, Xia Hong
Summary: Advanced anti-counterfeiting is crucial for civil, commercial, and military applications, with dispersion of Ti3C2Tx MXene quantum dots (MQDs) as luminescent ink showing promising results. By reducing the oxidation degree of MQDs, ultraviolet emissive MQDs were successfully prepared, improving quantum yield and stability. The study also developed multiple anti-counterfeiting techniques based on the luminescent properties of MQDs with low oxidation degree, showcasing their potential for advanced security features.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Spectroscopy
Anzhong Tan, Guanghui Yang, Xuejuan Wan
Summary: Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) with strong blue fluorescence and absolute quantum yield of 92.1% were successfully synthesized in this study. The N-CQDs demonstrated outstanding fluorescence stability, high selectivity, and anti-interference in Hg2+ detection.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue Wu, Ruikang Sun, Jie Ren, Shufen Zhang, Suli Wu
Summary: A programmable thermochromic patterned photonic film based on infiltration-controlled photonic crystals has been developed for encrypted anti-counterfeiting. It can hide and display preset colors by adjusting the temperature, providing a new direction for the encrypted anti-counterfeiting technology.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinglei He, Huijun Li, Jiwei Wang, Yanli Li, Meijie Su, Zhouqing Xu
Summary: This study introduced a multifunctional luminescent material with multiple luminescence modes, which is sensitive and reversible to HCl gas and can be used as anti-counterfeiting ink. The material can obtain specific stored information under different excitations and can repeatedly read hidden information when treated with acid/base vapor.
CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Buchaiah Gollapelli, Seeta Rama Raju Ganji, Arun Kumar Tatipamula, Jayalakshmi Vallamkondu
Summary: In this study, we have demonstrated the use of advanced anti-counterfeiting material to create security codes that are difficult to duplicate and distinct from current technology. The material is made by dispersing green synthesized chlorophyll from spinach leaves into cholesteric liquid crystal, resulting in color reflection in daylight and magenta color under UV light. Additionally, we have shown that this material, when confined to spherical microdroplets, exhibits dual-mode display and security ink properties. These findings suggest the potential applications of this material in anti-counterfeiting technologies for protecting valuable objects.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jeong Min Kim, Jae Min Bak, Bogyu Lim, Yu Jin Jung, Byong Chon Park, Min Ji Park, Jong Mok Park, Hyung-il Lee, Seo-Hyun Jung
Summary: A new concept for anti-counterfeiting security films that utilize the humidity from human breath to reveal a QR code on color-tunable one-dimensional (1D) PC films is presented. These films exhibit remarkable color transitions in a high humidity environment and can be used for anti-counterfeiting purposes and information storage.
Review
Optics
Hakam Agha, Yong Geng, Xu Ma, Deniz Isinsu Avsar, Rijeesh Kizhakidathazhath, Yan-Song Zhang, Ali Tourani, Hriday Bavle, Jose-Luis Sanchez-Lopez, Holger Voos, Mathew Schwartz, Jan P. F. Lagerwall
Summary: The molding of cholesteric liquid crystal into a spherical shape creates Cholesteric Spherical Reflectors (CSRs), which have significant optical consequences and potential applications. The omnidirectional chiral Bragg diffraction of CSRs makes them easily distinguishable retroreflectors using machine vision, while also being imperceptible to human vision. This opens up opportunities for various transformative technologies and their integration into human-populated environments.
LIGHT-SCIENCE & APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Florian Malotke, Tobias Thiele, Jochen S. Gutmann, Michael Giese
Summary: A modular tool box for photoresponsive cholesteric liquid crystals based on hydrogen-bonded assemblies is developed, allowing tunable structural coloration. The blue shift in cholesteric liquid-crystalline thin films is attributed to the photoinduced destruction of smectic clusters, resulting in a contraction of the helical structure. Furthermore, the use of a stereolithography 3D printer enables the direct transfer of digital information into a multicolor photonic pattern.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoxia Feng, Jinli Liu, Xiyue Zhao, Pengxiao Xu, Jiacheng Liu
Summary: In this study, the surface ligand of cesium lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) was regulated using a green fluorescence molecule containing thiol. This regulation improved the stability and multi-stimuli-responsive optical encoding of the QDs. The study demonstrates the potential of surface ligand manipulation in enhancing the performance of perovskite quantum dots.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhaozhong Li, Ruochen Lan, Jinying Bao, Wei Hu, Meng Wang, Lanying Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: In this study, electric-field-driven systems with tunable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) signals were fabricated using polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSChLC) doping by fluorescent molecules. The possible mechanism of this phenomenon and the variation of CPL signals and g(lum) values induced by the applied electric field were discussed. The research demonstrates the potential of the novel materials in the design and preparation of CPL-emitting devices with electrically tunable CPL intensity and g(lum).
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junmei Hu, Wei Hu, Shuaifeng Zhang, Chang Sun, Ruochen Lan, Yaping Cao, Yunxiao Ren, Jianjun Xu, Xiao Wang, Mohsin Hassan Saeed, Xilai Jia, Zhou Yang, Yanzi Gao, LanYing Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: This work focused on preparing polymer-dispersed liquid crystal films with good mechanical properties, high contrast ratio, and low driving voltage by using two different monomers. It was found that using hydroxyl methacrylate monomers improved adhesion force, while using fluorinated methacrylate monomers reduced driving voltage, resulting in PDLC films with excellent comprehensive performance. The novel approach of improving the mechanical properties of PDLC films promises wider applications in the future.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jinying Bao, Ruochen Lan, Chen Shen, Rui Huang, Zizheng Wang, Wei Hu, Lanying Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: A chiral-switchable device for circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is fabricated using a dynamic superstructure of cholesteric liquid crystals (N*-LC) doped with light-driven molecular motor (MM), allowing for simultaneous modulation of CPL chirality and intensity. Under UV irradiation, the selective reflection band of the N*-LC shifts, resulting in switchable chirality of CPL.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zizheng Wang, Ruochen Lan, Jinying Bao, Chen Shen, Rui Huang, Chenjie Song, Lanying Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: Liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) is a promising candidate for intelligent soft materials due to its programmable anisotropy and elasticity. This study proposes a novel strategy to fabricate reprogrammable humidity-responsive LCP materials enabled by dynamic ionic cross-links. By selectively cross-linking or solution treatment, distinctive humidity-driven motions of the LCP film can be achieved. The behavior of the novel actuator can be manipulated by mesogens alignment or spatially ionic treatment, providing a feasible and robust strategy for fabricating complex humidity-driven soft robots.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chen Shen, Zizheng Wang, Rui Huang, Jinying Bao, Zhaozhong Li, Lanying Zhang, Ruochen Lan, Huai Yang
Summary: Dynamic photonic crystals with tunable structural colors have been widely studied for applications in anti-counterfeiting devices, decoration, and detection. In this study, photonic crystals based on cholesteric liquid crystalline network (CLCN) were prepared to exhibit humidity- and SO2 gas-responsive behaviors. The humidity-responsive color changes of the CLCN film were due to the swelling/deswelling of the matrix under different humidity conditions. However, treatment with SO2 gas caused the film to lose its humidity responsiveness by converting the carboxylic salt to acid.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinying Bao, Zizheng Wang, Chen Shen, Rui Huang, Chenjie Song, Zhaozhong Li, Wei Hu, Ruochen Lan, Lanying Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: "The design and fabrication of freestanding chiro-photonic crystal film with color-changing ability across the visible light spectrum is beneficial for anticounterfeiting technology and smart labels. By utilizing a newly synthesized light-responsive molecular motor functionalized with cholesterol, a novel light-controlled photonic crystal is prepared, offering potential applications in encrypted communication and counterfeit prevention."
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chenjie Song, Ruochen Lan, Chen Shen, Jinying Bao, Rui Huang, Zizheng Wang, Lanying Zhang, Meina Yu, Siquan Zhu
Summary: A sunlight-driven shape morphing liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) has been developed for the enhancement of accommodative intraocular lenses (AIOLs). The material allows for greater optical performance and controlled deformation through photothermal effects. Compared to traditional AIOLs, this new material reduces dependency on surrounding tissues and avoids negative effects from aging or sclerosis.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
R. Huang, Y. Cao, S. Qin, Y. X. Ren, R. Lan, L. Zhang, Z. Yu, H. Yang
Summary: Sodium and potassium ion batteries are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices. However, the limited storage capacity and poor structural stability of carbon anodes pose challenges. In this study, ultra-high N-doping carbons with open carbon nano-cages were prepared, allowing precise control of N-doping level. The optimized N-doped carbons show excellent performance in sodium ion batteries and potassium ion batteries, achieving high rate capability and cyclic stability.
MATERIALS TODAY NANO
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruochen Lan, Jinying Bao, Rui Huang, Zizheng Wang, Lanying Zhang, Chen Shen, Qian Wang, Huai Yang
Summary: Designing and fabricating macroscopic functional devices using molecular engineering is an emerging and effective strategy for exploring advanced materials. This review summarizes recent developments in light-responsive liquid crystal systems triggered by OAMM and discusses the amplification effect of liquid crystal matrix and various applications of OAMM-driven liquid crystal materials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruochen Lan, Jinying Bao, Zhaozhong Li, Zizheng Wang, Chenjie Song, Chen Shen, Rui Huang, Jian Sun, Qian Wang, Lanying Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: Design and fabrication of a fluorescent cholesteric liquid crystalline network (CLCN) film with programmable visible patterns and photo-rewritable fluorescent patterns has been achieved. This multifunctional optical label can store distinct information in reflective and emissive modes, making it highly potential for anti-counterfeiting and information encryption purposes.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chenjie Song, Yuhan Zhang, Jinying Bao, Zizheng Wang, Lanying Zhang, Jian Sun, Ruochen Lan, Zhan Yu, Siquan Zhu, Huai Yang
Summary: A versatile method is reported to fabricate light-driven actuator by covalently cross-linking polyurethane (PU) into liquid crystalline polymer networks (PULCN). This material not only possesses the shape memory properties of PU but shows shape-changing behavior of LCPs. This study may provide a new route for the fabrication of programmable and mechanically robust light-driven soft actuator.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fan Zhou, Ruochen Lan, Zhi Li, Bingyao Liu, Qin Xie, Jinying Bao, Junling Liu, Peng Gao, Huai Yang, Yanfeng Zhang, Zhongfan Liu
Summary: A new thermochromic light modulator is developed by combining the electro-heating capability of graphene and unique optical properties of small-molecule-weight cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC). The modulator allows actively tunable color filtering with widely adjustable hue and saturation properties. Potential applications in smart windows and photography are demonstrated.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zizheng Wang, Jinying Bao, Rui Huang, Chenjie Song, Chen Shen, Jian Sun, Ruochen Lan, Lanying Zhang, Huai Yang
Summary: In this study, a light and humidity dual responsive soft actuator was developed by combining light-sensitive liquid crystalline networks and hydrophilic poly(2-carboxyethyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) layers. The results demonstrated the potential of this actuator in the fabrication of intelligent soft robots.
SCIENCE CHINA-MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruochen Lan, Wenbo Shen, Wenhuan Yao, Jingyu Chen, Xinyu Chen, Huai Yang
Summary: Inspired by nature, humidity-responsive materials and devices have attracted significant interest from scientists in multiple disciplines, ranging from chemistry, physics and materials science to biomimetics. Owing to their superiorities, including harmless stimulus and untethered control, humidity-driven materials have been widely investigated for application in soft robots, smart sensors and detectors, biomimetic devices and anticounterfeiting labels. Especially, humidity-responsive liquid crystalline materials are particularly appealing due to the combination of programmable and adaptive liquid crystal matrix and humidity-controllability, enabling the fabrication of advanced self-adaptive robots and visualized sensors.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mohsin Hassan Saeed, Moon-Young Choi, Kitae Kim, Jin-Hyeong Lee, Keumbee Kim, Dowon Kim, Se-Um Kim, Hyun Kim, Suk-kyun Ahn, Ruochen Lan, Jun-Hee Na
Summary: This study presents a monodomain liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) driven by electrostatic force, which enables fast multidirectional bending, oscillation, rotation, and complex actuation with a high degree of freedom. By tuning material parameters, fast multimodal shape changes can be achieved. This research provides a possibility for the electrostatically controllable isothermal manipulation of fast and multimode soft actuators.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
