Architected Liquid Crystal Elastomer Lattices with Programmable Energy Absorption.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40545974.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1002/adma.202420048.
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Abstract
Architected LCE lattices are fabricated with flow-induced alignment via direct ink writing and systematically characterized their shape morphing, stiffness, and energy absorption behavior across strain rates spanning six orders of magnitude from 10<sup>-3</sup> to 10<sup>3</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>. It is shown that architected liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) lattices exhibit superior energy absorption compared to their non-mesogenic (silicone) counterparts. Importantly, the LCE-to-silicone energy absorption ratios are up to 18-fold higher at the highest strain rate tested. A finite element model that captures their shape-morphing response is developed, which exhibits excellent agreement with the experimental observations. The work opens new avenues for designing and fabricating LCE lattices with programmable alignment, shape morphing, and mechanics.