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Mechanochromic Palettes Based on Optical Rotation in Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Visual Signalling

Journal Article · · Advanced Optical Materials
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [1];  [4];  [2];  [1]
  1. Korea Advanced Inst. Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)
  2. Pukyong National University, Busan (Korea, Republic of)
  3. Pohang Accelerator Lab. (PAL) (Korea, Republic of)
  4. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Mechanochromic photonic materials present promising prospects for enhancing diverse facets of human life. Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) present immediate mechanochromic properties, allowing their utility in various fields, including camouflages, textiles, and anticounterfeiting. Nonetheless, it is essential to provide differentiated color information corresponding to diverse types and degrees of deformation for practical use in real life. Herein, the mechanochromic responses of CLCEs are investigated using their optical rotation under compression and uniaxial stretching. The CLCEs exhibit the same reflection colors indistinguishable for compression and uniaxial stretching due to their contracted pitches. In contrast, the linearly polarized light passing through deformed CLCEs can be modulated by optical rotation, resulting in distinct transmission colors that can be discerned through mechanical deformations. A visual signaling system with color information derived from optical rotation is demonstrated. By comprehending and manipulating the mechanoresponsive behavior of CLCEs, these materials can be advanced into innovative solutions with enhanced functionality and performance, thereby broadening their applications for human life enhancement.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
2426766
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--23-27756
Journal Information:
Advanced Optical Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Optical Materials Journal Issue: 19 Vol. 12; ISSN 2195-1071
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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