Bioinspired Liquid Crystalline Spinning Enables Scalable Fabrication of High‐Performing Fibrous Artificial Muscles. Issue 16 (6th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Wenhao; Wang, Jiao; Lv, Jiu‐an
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 35:Issue 16(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-03-06
• Subjects: artificial muscles -- bioinspired spinning technology -- high‐performing fibrous actuators -- high‐speed production -- liquid crystal elastomers; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202211800
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Leveraging liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) to realize scalable fabrication of high‐performing fibrous artificial muscles is of particular interest because these active soft materials can provide large, reversible, programmable deformations upon environmental stimuli. High‐performing fibrous LCEs require the used processing technology to enable shaping LCEs into micro‐scale fine fibers as thin as possible while achieving macroscopic LC orientation, which however remains a daunting challenge. Here, a bioinspired spinning technology is reported that allows for continuous, high‐speed production (fabrication speed up to 8400 m h −1 ) of thin and aligned LCE microfibers combined with rapid deformation (actuation strain rate up to 810% s −1 ), powerful actuation (actuation stress up to 5.3 MPa), high response frequency (50 Hz), and long cycle life (250 000 cycles without obvious fatigue). Inspired by liquid crystalline spinning of spiders that takes advantage of multiple drawdowns to thin and align their dragline silks, internal drawdown via tapered‐wall‐induced‐shearing and external drawdown via mechanical stretching are employed to shape LCEs into long, thin, aligned microfibers with the desirable actuation performances, which few processing technologies can achieve. This bioinspired processing technology capable of scalable production of high‐performing fibrous LCEs would benefit the development of smart fabrics, intelligent wearable devices, humanoid robotics, and other areas. Abstract : A bioinspired spinning technology is reported that allows for continuous, high‐speed production of thin and aligned liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) microfibers combined with rapid deformation, powerful actuation, high response frequency, and long cycle life. This processing technology capable of scalable production of high‐performing fibrous LCEs would benefit the development of smart fabrics, intelligent wearable devices, humanoid robotics, and other areas.