Mechanical Actuation via Homeomorphic Transformations of Topological Solitons within Polymer Coatings

Journal Article · 22 November 2023 · Advanced Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202308425 · OSTI ID:2221865

Peixoto, Jacques ^[1]; Hall, Darian ^[2]; Broer, Dirk J. ^[1]; Smalyukh, Ivan I. ^[3]; Liu, Danqing  ^[1]

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1. Laboratory of Human Interactive Materials (HIM) Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology Den Dolech 2 Eindhoven 5612 AZ The Netherlands, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) Eindhoven University of Technology Eindhoven 5600 MB The Netherlands
2. Department of Physics University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309 USA
3. Department of Physics University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309 USA, International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter Hiroshima University Higashihiroshima 739‐0046 Japan, Materials Science and Engineering Program University of Colorado Boulder CO 80303 USA, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado Boulder CO 80303 USA

Abstract Topological solitons are currently under investigation for their exotic properties, especially in nonlinear physics, optics, and material sciences. However, challenges of robust generation and limited stability over time have hindered their practical uses. To address this issue, an approach is developed to form structured arrays of solitons in films of polymerizable liquid crystals. Their complex molecular architecture is preserved by in situ photopolymerization forming a stable liquid crystal network. Most excitingly, their properties are advanced to include responsiveness functions. When thermally actuated, these topological solitons mediate the reconfiguration of surface topographies. Complex shape changes occur depending on the intrinsic complex spatial distribution of the director, which may even lead to full shape inversion and topographical changes as high as ≈40% of the initial thickness. Conversely, the shape changes provide information on the initial director profile, which is consistent with the mathematical model. The soliton‐containing polymer coatings are applicable in multiple domains, ranging from tunable optics to haptics, and from shape‐coupled sensing systems to temperature‐coupled heat management.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0019293
• OSTI ID: 2221865
• Journal Information: Advanced Materials, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 36; ISSN 0935-9648
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: English