English Abstract
Stimuli-Responsive Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Kenji URAYAMA
Department of Materials Chemistry, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2007),80(2),52-58 General Review in Japanese


Abstract
We review the stimuli-response behavior of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) investigated in recent studies. One of the most interesting features of LCEs is the strong coupling of macroscopic shape with their orientational order. We introduce spontaneous shape and volume variations in response to temperature change, the electro-optical effect accompanying macroscopic deformation, a light-induced deformation, and strain-induced director switching.



Keywords:
Liquid Crystals, Liquid Crystal Elastomers, Actuators
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