Universal inverse design of surfaces with thin nematic elastomer sheets
Universal inverse design of surfaces with thin nematic elastomer sheets
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DOI：
10.1073/pnas.1804702115
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发表时间：
2018-07-10
影响因子：
11.1
通讯作者：
Yang, Shu
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Aharoni, Hillel;Xia, Yu;Yang, Shu
可编程变形材料可以采用不同的物理形式，以动态和可控的方式实现多功能。虽然已经通过编程的非均匀局部变形以各种方式将形状从2D变形到3D，但逆问题-找到如何对板材进行编程以使其具有任意所需的3D形状-要实现特定功能要困难得多，但也是关键的。在这里，我们在薄型液晶弹性体(LCE)薄片中解决这个逆问题，其中形状是通过精确和局部控制液晶单体的分子取向来预先编程的。我们展示了如何使用近似数值方法来生成任意曲面几何形状的蓝图，以及如何生成局部非本征曲率来帮助将这些几何形状适当地转换成形状。在可靠的可对准和快速锁定的LCE化学物质的支持下，我们使用先进的自上而下的微制造技术将我们的设计精确地嵌入到LCE薄板中。因此，我们成功地生产出在热激活时具有任意所需形状的平板，例如面。这里提出的创建任意3D形状的一般设计原则将允许探索柔性电子产品、超材料、航空航天和医疗设备等领域尚未满足的需求。
Programmable shape-shifting materials can take different physical forms to achieve multifunctionality in a dynamic and controllable manner. Although morphing a shape from 2D to 3D via programmed inhomogeneous local deformations has been demonstrated in various ways, the inverse problem-finding how to program a sheet in order for it to take an arbitrary desired 3D shape-is much harder yet critical to realize specific functions. Here, we address this inverse problem in thin liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) sheets, where the shape is preprogrammed by precise and local control of the molecular orientation of the liquid crystal monomers. We show how blueprints for arbitrary surface geometries can be generated using approximate numerical methods and how local extrinsic curvatures can be generated to assist in properly converting these geometries into shapes. Backed by faithfully alignable and rapidly lockable LCE chemistry, we precisely embed our designs in LCE sheets using advanced top-down microfabrication techniques. We thus successfully produce flat sheets that, upon thermal activation, take an arbitrary desired shape, such as a face. The general design principles presented here for creating an arbitrary 3D shape will allow for exploration of unmet needs in flexible electronics, metamaterials, aerospace and medical devices, and more.