Fig. 7: LCE shape programming using an external magnetic or electric field. | Communications Chemistry

Fig. 7: LCE shape programming using an external magnetic or electric field.

From: Shape programming of liquid crystal elastomers

Fig. 7

a Applied EM fields induce mesogen reorientations against the field direction, providing a means to control mesogen alignment in the LCE pre-polymerized mixture. This alignment is then embedded into the material through the polymerization of the LCE network. b Vertical electric fields are generated between two parallel glass plates with conductive ITO layers. Patterned electrodes on the alignment cell can realize horizontal electric fields. c Strong magnetic fields have demonstrated the ability to induce mesogen or LCE particle alignment over greater lengths compared to electric fields.

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