Embedded Physical Intelligence in Liquid Crystalline Polymer Actuators and Robots

Abstract

Responsive materials possess the inherent capacity to autonomously sense and respond to various external stimuli, demonstrating physical intelligence. Among the diverse array of responsive materials, liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) stand out for their remarkable reversible stimuli‐responsive shape‐morphing properties and their potential for creating soft robots. While numerous reviews have extensively detailed the progress in developing LCP‐based actuators and robots, there exists a need for comprehensive summaries that elucidate the underlying principles governing actuation and how physical intelligence is embedded within these systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in developing actuators and robots endowed with physical intelligence using LCPs. Our review is structured around the stimulus conditions and categorizes the studies involving responsive LCPs based on the fundamental control and stimulation logic and approach. Specifically, we examine three main categories: systems that respond to changing stimuli, those operating under constant stimuli, and those equipped with learning and logic control capabilities. Furthermore, we outline the persisting challenges that need to be addressed and discuss the future avenues of research in this dynamic field.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Research Progress of Bioinspired Structural Color in Camouflage

“…Additionally, the authors presented a soft walker prototype capable of spontaneous propulsion when intermittently exposed to acetone flow, with corresponding color changes from green to orange-red observed in the walker ( Figure 4 d). While combining responsive materials with photonic crystal structures can develop structural-color actuators that mimic the behavior of chameleons, liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) offer remarkable reversible stimuli-responsive shape-morphing properties, making them ideal candidates for preparing structural color actuators for camouflage applications [ 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Recently, several liquid crystal-based structural color actuators have been developed [ 77 , 78 ].…”