Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are rubbers whose constituent molecules are orientationally ordered, with their salient feature being a strong coupling between the orientational order and mechanical strain. A characteristic feature of LCEs is that relatively small external effects, such as changes in temperature or onset of illumination, can produce huge and rapid deformations. LCEs will likely assume real technological importance due of their softness and their ready responsiveness to applied fields, yielding applications in microfluidic pumping and switching, and helping to answer basic questions in locomotion. By extending the theory of rubber networks, the investigators develop and explore continuum descriptions of these materials, and study how LCEs behave in the bulk and in interaction with an external fluid, and begin to develop simulational methods for these systems. Parallel to the theoretical study is an experimental program that involves the applications of LCEs, such as to locomotion, but also to new materials synthesis.
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are active flexible materials whose constituent molecules can be reoriented or disordered by applying electric or temperature fields. A consequence of this is that relatively small external effects, say in temperature changes or an onset of illumination, can produce huge and rapid deformations of the material. The investigators have already demonstrated that LCEs can have fascinating dynamics when interacting with a fluidic environment, such as the observed "swimming" of floating LCE samples away from an illuminated region. These materials may be of technological importance due of their softness and responsiveness, suggesting applications in microfluidic pumping and switching, and helping to answer basic questions in locomotion. To fully exploit these materials the development of soundly based mathematical models is crucial. The investigators develop mathematical descriptions of these materials, and seek to understand the ways in which LCEs interact with applied fields and with their environment. Parallel to the theoretical studies is an experimental program that involves the applications of LCEs, such as to locomotion, but also to new materials synthesis.
