Title: Stereolithography additive manufacturing of magnetically aligned liquid crystal elastomers

Abstract

A method of forming a three-dimensional structure includes forming a layer of resin comprising liquid crystal oligomers and a photoinitiator, applying a magnetic field to the formed layer in a predefined alignment direction for substantially aligning the liquid crystal oligomers in a first orientation; and exposing the formed layer to radiation for curing a first portion of the layer during application of the magnetic field thereby resulting in the first portion having liquid crystal elastomers substantially aligned in the first orientation. The method includes applying a second magnetic field to the formed layer in a predefined second alignment direction for substantially aligning uncured liquid crystal oligomers in a second orientation, and exposing the layer to radiation for curing a second portion of the layer during application of the second magnetic field thereby resulting in the second portion having liquid crystal elastomers substantially aligned in the second orientation.

Inventors:

Arriaga, Rodrigo Telles; Krikorian, Caitlyn Christian; Lee, Elaine; Lewis, Jennifer

Issue Date:

2023-09-05

Research Org.:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE; National Science Foundation (NSF); US Army Research Office (ARO)

OSTI Identifier:

2222268

Patent Number(s):

11745420

Application Number:

17/848,237

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA); President and Fellows of Harvard College (Cambridge, MA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

Show more

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C64/124 - using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
B29C64/129 - characterised by the energy source therefor, e.g. by global irradiation combined with a mask
B29C64/188 - involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
B29C64/30 - Auxiliary operations or equipment

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

B29K2021/00 - Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
B29K2105/0079 - {Liquid crystals}

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B32 - LAYERED PRODUCTS B32B - LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM

B32B2305/55 - Liquid crystals
B32B7/03 - with respect to the orientation of features

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B33 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY B33Y - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

B33Y10/00 - Processes of additive manufacturing
B33Y30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturing
B33Y40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

AC52-07NA27344; W911NF-17-1-0351; 2011754

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 06/23/2022

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English