Thermo- and chemical-triggered overhand and reef knots based on liquid crystal gels

Liu, Zongdai1,2; Zeng, Hao3; Yang, Kun-Lin2; Luo, Dan1

2021-09-01

10.1039/d1tc03615g

Journal of Materials Chemistry C   影响因子和分区

2050-7526

2050-7534

A knot is a worldwide used complication and one of the most ancient technologies in human history. A knot can be found in a wide range of applications such as providing practical structural robustness and mechanical connections between objectives. Here, we report a responsive knot that can self-adjust its geometry upon external stimuli. The knot is tightened in a thread made of a liquid crystal gel, the diameter and internal friction of which vary upon thermal/chemical stimulus. An overhand knot and a reef knot are demonstrated to exhibit auto-untie action responsive to external stimuli. A self-dropping device is shown to sense its surrounding temperature and chemical change in the environment, providing the proof-of-concept for sensing application. The results offer new alternatives for soft micro-robots and automation control for non-electric devices.

SCI ; EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

Natural National Science Foundation of China (NSFC)[61875081] ; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation[2021B1515020097] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Council[JCYJ20180305180700747]

Materials Science ; Physics

Materials Science, Multidisciplinary ; Physics, Applied

WOS:000700906800001

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

20214411100741

Liquid crystals

Geology:481.1

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Elect & Elect Engn, Xueyuan Rd 1088, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
2.Natl Univ Singapore, Dept Chem & Biomol Engn, 4 Engn Dr 4, Singapore 117585, Singapore
3.Tampere Univ, Fac Engn & Nat Sci, Smart Photon Mat, POB 541, Tampere 33101, Finland

Liu, Zongdai,Zeng, Hao,Yang, Kun-Lin,et al. Thermo- and chemical-triggered overhand and reef knots based on liquid crystal gels[J]. Journal of Materials Chemistry C,2021,9:14154-14160.

Liu, Zongdai,Zeng, Hao,Yang, Kun-Lin,&Luo, Dan.(2021).Thermo- and chemical-triggered overhand and reef knots based on liquid crystal gels.Journal of Materials Chemistry C,9,14154-14160.

Liu, Zongdai,et al."Thermo- and chemical-triggered overhand and reef knots based on liquid crystal gels".Journal of Materials Chemistry C 9(2021):14154-14160.