The innovative work of Dr. Yuyang Song at the Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRINA) and collaborators from Toyota Central R&D Labs and Georgia Institute of Technology has resulted in a groundbreaking publication in Advanced Functional Materials. This research introduces a novel hollow liquid crystal elastomer (h-LCE) fiber, crafted through coaxial spinning, which promises to significantly enhanced multifunctionality and responsiveness in LCE composites.
The h-LCE fiber draws inspiration from the architecture of skeletal muscle fibers, featuring an LCE outer shell for programmable actuation and an inner channel that allows for the integration of various functional media. This unique design facilitates the creation of versatile, multifunctional LCE composites. In the lab, researchers have successfully fabricated h-LCE fibers over 3 meters in length, with outer and inner diameters as small as 250 µm and 120 µm, respectively.
Demonstrating remarkable versatility, these h-LCE fibers have been utilized across diverse applications. From fast-response stiffness-tunable actuators triggered by water flow to enhanced mechanical properties by shape memory polymer (SMP), and even electrically driven systems using liquid metal, the h-LCE fibers showcase potential in various innovative fields.
For detailed information, please refer to the published article in Advanced Functional Materials.
