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Dynamic self-stiffening in liquid crystal elastomers

Author

Listed:
  • Aditya Agrawal

    (Rice University)

  • Alin C. Chipara

    (Rice University, MS-321, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, USA)

  • Yousif Shamoo

    (Rice University, MS-140, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, USA)

  • Prabir K. Patra

    (University of Bridgeport, 126 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604, USA)

  • Brent J. Carey

    (Rice University, MS-321, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, USA)

  • Pulickel M. Ajayan

    (Rice University, MS-321, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, USA)

  • Walter G. Chapman

    (Rice University)

  • Rafael Verduzco

    (Rice University)

Abstract

Biological tissues have the remarkable ability to remodel and repair in response to disease, injury and mechanical stresses. Synthetic materials lack the complexity of biological tissues, and man-made materials that respond to external stresses through a permanent increase in stiffness are uncommon. Here we report that polydomain nematic liquid crystal elastomers increase in stiffness by up to 90% when subjected to a low-amplitude (5%), repetitive (dynamic) compression. Elastomer stiffening is influenced by liquid crystal content, the presence of a nematic liquid crystal phase and the use of a dynamic as opposed to static deformation. Through rheological and X-ray diffraction measurements, stiffening can be attributed to a mobile nematic director, which rotates in response to dynamic compression. Stiffening under dynamic compression has not been previously observed in liquid crystal elastomers and may be useful for the development of self-healing materials or for the development of biocompatible, adaptive materials for tissue replacement.

Suggested Citation

  • Aditya Agrawal & Alin C. Chipara & Yousif Shamoo & Prabir K. Patra & Brent J. Carey & Pulickel M. Ajayan & Walter G. Chapman & Rafael Verduzco, 2013. "Dynamic self-stiffening in liquid crystal elastomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2772
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2772
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    Cited by:

    1. Singh, S.S., 2017. "Harmonic waves in anisotropic nematic elastomers," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 302(C), pages 1-8.

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