Article
Polymer Science
Haruka Yasuoka, Kazuaki Z. Takahashi, Takeshi Aoyagi
Summary: Applying electric fields to liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is an efficient method for actuating soft robotics, but it is important to determine the minimum electric field strength and reorientation time for optimizing LCE electrical actuation. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to study the relaxation behavior of stress and orientational order in LCE systems under an applied electric field. The results showed that the minimum electric field strength and reorientation time differ for main-chain and side-chain LCEs, suggesting the need for careful design of LCEs at the molecular architecture level for precise soft robotics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yu-Qiang Guo, Fan Chu, Bing-Xiang Li, Yu-Xian Zhang, Tian-Zi Shen, Wei Duan, Chao Liu, Yu-Bao Sun, Qiong-Hua Wang
Summary: In this study, a liquid crystal cell was designed to achieve unidirectional manipulation of micrometer-sized silica spheres. By adjusting the field parameters, the transport velocity of the microspheres can be controlled, and their motion behavior during collisions can be adjusted. This research is of great significance for achieving high-throughput microparticle transport.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tomohiro Tsuji, Shigeomi Chono
Summary: Liquid crystal micromotors based on the backflow effect were developed, with the rotation speed of the inner cylinder controlled by the frequency and voltage of the applied electric field. The maximum rotation speed achieved was 20rpm, and the motor performance can be adjusted by changing the voltage and gap size.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Luiz C. B. da Silva, Efi Efrati
Summary: The geometry and topology of the region where a director field is embedded determine the kind of orientational order it supports. The director field is fully determined by five local fields related to each other and the curvature of the embedding space through six differential relations. Different geometric features give rise to different ways of geometric frustration and the local fields must satisfy compatibility conditions.
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Azwan Mahmud
Summary: In this paper, the impulse response of various earth electrodes under high impulse conditions is investigated through experiments. The experimental results show that there is little difference in the impulse resistance of these electrodes with increasing current magnitudes, which may be attributed to the balance between the critical electric value of the soil and the electric field of the electrodes.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Crystallography
Mikhail A. A. Osipov, Alexey S. S. Merekalov, Alexander A. A. Ezhov
Summary: In this study, the effect of rod-like nanoparticles on the high-frequency dielectric susceptibility of nematic nano-composites was investigated using a molecular theory. Analytical expressions for the effective polarizability of the nanoparticles in the nematic host were obtained and used to calculate the dielectric susceptibility of the composites as a function of the nanoparticle volume fraction. Numerical calculations were performed using a nematic liquid crystal as the host doped with gold or silver particles at different concentrations. The results showed that rod-like nanoparticles have a significant impact on the dielectric susceptibility of the nano-composites, especially in the case of gold nanoparticles near the plasmon resonance. The main conclusion is that at high nanoparticle concentrations, the anisotropy of the dielectric susceptibility of the nano-composites can even change sign, which has important implications for various applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jun Zhang, Ying Xiang, Xiaoyu Ding, Luguo Hao, Supreet Kaur, Golam Mohiuddin, Santanu Kumar Pal, Peter Salamon, Nandor Eber, Agnes Buka
Summary: The study explores the response of a newly synthesized hockey-stick nematic 8-F-OH to applied electric field, revealing unusual pattern forming scenarios that vary with frequency, temperature, and initial director alignment. The behavior is compared with calamitic and bent-core nematics, highlighting the crucial role of elastically deformed layers in pattern formation, especially in the presence of polar smectic clusters.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jinrui Zhang, Kai Zhang, Weizong Wang, Aamir Shahzad, Yufeng Cheng, Guobiao Cai
Summary: This study investigated the permeation process of ionic liquid droplets actuated by electrowetting using molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed that the wettability of the substrate and the electric field strength have significant influences on the permeation process, while varying electric field polarity results in asymmetric permeation behavior. The study also revealed the critical roles of the electric field in elongating the droplet and providing the driving force for permeation.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Kyuhwan Kim, Changjae Lee, Dong Ki Yoon
Summary: We have successfully synthesized patterned fibrous materials with controllable defect arrays using a combination of small-molecular-weight liquid crystals and reactive mesogens under controlled electric fields. The resulting hydrophobic fibrous network exhibits porous morphologies and possesses a reduced surface tension compared to neat reactive mesogen films. This fabrication method provides a facile approach for creating hydrophobic surfaces suitable for microdroplet transport.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Koji Usui, Kohsuke Matsumoto, Erika Katayama, Norihisa Akamatsu, Atsushi Shishido
Summary: This study introduces oligothiophene-doped liquid crystals as a low-threshold and deformable optical limiter, which can be tuned by adjusting the applied voltage without additional optical components. This novel optical limiter based on oligothiophene-doped LCs provides protection for eyes and optical sensors from intense light damage.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Dong, Kevin Wylie, Yuta Nabae, Teruaki Hayakawa
Summary: A precursor diblock copolymer with a silicon backbone was synthesized, and a perfluoroalkyl side chain was introduced to enhance segregation between blocks and increase the chi value. The resulting copolymer formed self-assembled domains with a minimal spacing of approximately 10 nm.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hui Yuan, Jiaojiao Zhang, Sigal Rencus-Lazar, Zewei Ren, Ruikang Lin, Ehud Gazit, Rusen Yang
Summary: Mechanically robust amino acid crystals formed by physical vapor deposition are used as positive triboelectric materials, resulting in a 50% increase in the output voltage of triboelectric nanogenerators. The electric field-induced molecular packing leads to a surface with charged amino groups that enhance the output voltage of the nanogenerators. This work provides insight into designing high-performance electric devices for bioengineering applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ra You, Sumin Kang, Changjae Lee, Jisoo Jeon, Jeong Jae Wie, Taek-Soo Kim, Dong Ki Yoon
Summary: The arrangement of mesogenic units in LCN films determines their mechanical response, with increased defects leading to enhanced toughness and ductility due to elastic modulus mismatch that mitigates crack propagation. The platform also allows modulation of frictional force by varying temperature, providing insight into the multiplex mechanical properties of LCN films.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tejal Pawale, Shengzhu Yi, Xiaowei Wang, Rui Zhang, Xiao Li
Summary: Controlling topological defects in liquid crystals is crucial for the development of directed self-assembly and micropatterning materials. This study investigates the fate of defects in a liquid crystal confined on a patterned surface during phase transitions. The results show that the transitions of defects rely on temperature changes and the elastic constants of the liquid crystal. Additionally, the arrangement of defects is highly influenced by the size and shape of the patterns. This research offers promising opportunities for tuning the micro- or nano-patterning of topological defects in liquid crystals.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haomin Li, Huanyu Lei, Shudeng Ma, Tianfu Song, Yan Li, Haifeng Yu
Summary: This study overcomes the challenges of observing intermediate emitters and discovers unique dual-state intermediates with distinctive luminescent properties through the spontaneously formed space limitations in polymer crosslinking networks and the capture of reactive intermediates. These findings provide a new perspective for designing intermediate emitters with liquid-crystal characteristics and photoresponsive features.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
