Multiplicity of shape selection in functionally graded liquid crystalline polymers

Abstract

The synergy of through-thickness gradation in the orientation of the molecular director and the extent of polymerization is shown to offer a framework for controlling shape selection in integral polymer films.

Advances in Cell Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: The Value of Liquid Crystalline Elastomers

“…On the other hand, the use of acrylate based strategies (through the different synthetic approaches already described) opens the way to a wide range of processing techniques as shown in Figure . In particular, they allow the use of standard liquid crystalline cells, and thus to different alignments, towards polymeric films but also more complex shapes (flat, curled or ribbon‐like), due to the different internal strains obtainable by properly modification of the polymerization conditions (Figure a) . Moreover, preparing viscous monomeric mixtures or LC oligomers allows one to prepare fibres with a variety of methods such as electrospinning, microfluidic systems (to obtain microfibers), or directly by mechanical stretching, leading to long wires with homogeneous alignment (induced by the applied shearing force).…”

“…In particular, they allow the use of standard liquid crystalline cells, and thus to different alignments, towards polymericf ilms but also more complex shapes (flat, curled or ribbon-like), due to the different internal strains obtainable by properly modification of the polymerization conditions ( Figure 6a). [47] Moreover,p reparing viscous monomeric mixtureso rL Co ligomers allows one to prepare fibres with a variety of methods such as electrospinning, [48] microfluidic systems [49] (to obtain microfibers), or directly by mechanical stretching, leading to longw ires with homogeneous alignment (induced by the applieds hearingf orce).V ery recently,f abrication of rotating fibres was also described by applying simultaneously am echanical stretch and ar otationm ovement to the monomeric mixture during UV polymerization (of the suspended fibre). [36] Millimetre to centimetre size 3D objectsc an be directly printed as described by Ware et al and Lewisa nd co-workers ( Figure 6b).…”