Abstract
ABSTRACTThis review deals with liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) and focuses thereby on three aspects. At first, (i) structure–property relations to optimise the magnitude of achievable actuation are discussed and then different exemptions and their origin. They apply especially to smectic systems with a strong segregation between mesogenic core and the interlayer region as they are found, e.g., in diluted smectic LC-polysiloxanes. In the next chapter, concepts to make LCEs better applicable as active elements in micromachines are discussed. To allow actuation in a device, which stays – as a whole – at constant temperature, the incorporation of ohmic heaters (electrical actuation) or suitable chromophores (photochemical actuation) is discussed. Finally, a system is presented which can be moved around in the decimetre range by magnetic fields and actuated locally (micrometre range) by a thermally or photochemically induced phase transition.
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