Direct Laser Writing of Four-Dimensional Structural Color Microactuators Using a Photonic Photoresist.

Del Pozo, Marc; Delaney, Colm; Bastiaansen, Cees W M; Diamond, Dermot; Schenning, Albert P H J; Florea, Larisa · ACS Nano · 2020

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

With the advent of direct laser writing using two-photon polymerization, the generation of high-resolution three-dimensional microstructures has increased dramatically. However, the development of stimuli-responsive photoresists to create four-dimensional (4D) microstructures remains a challenge. Herein, we present a supramolecular cholesteric liquid crystalline photonic photoresist for the fabrication of 4D photonic microactuators, such as pillars, flowers, and butterflies, with submicron resolution. These micron-sized features display structural color and shape changes triggered by a variation of humidity or temperature. These findings serve as a roadmap for the design and creation of high-resolution 4D photonic microactuators.