Intelligent Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators with High Mechanical Strength, Self‐Sensing, and Automatic Control

Abstract

Self‐sensing liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) actuators with integration of sensing and actuating have attracted significant attention in health monitoring and physical rehabilitation therapy. However, the development of LCE actuators equipped with high mechanical strength, self‐sensing capabilities, and automatic control simultaneously is still a significant challenge. Here, intelligent self‐sensing LCE actuators with high mechanical strength and automatic control are demonstrated by doping carbon‐materials composite of graphite and carbon black. The proposed actuators, driven by the electrothermal effect, demonstrate a significant increase in the ratio of lifted object mass/self‐weight ratio up to 1168 times, which is then tested in activities such as football kicking and arm swinging of a doll. The self‐sensing LCE actuators possess a 30% actuation strain and have real‐time sensing capability during Joule heating. They can be programmed by control circuits based on conditional logic judgments of the target. In addition, a smart glove equipped with self‐sensing LCE actuators, which have high mechanical strength and an automatic control system for assisting finger movement, is also demonstrated. The proposed LCE actuator shows great potential for applications in assisting finger movement, aiding in joint and knee recovery, and other smart physical rehabilitation therapy applications.