2025 Volume 74 Issue 2 Pages 90-91
Nanophase-segregated liquid crystals with ion-transport properties hold great promise for advanced soft electromechanical actuators. A photocured polymer electrolyte with a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell, forming a micellar cubic liquid crystal structure with 3D continuous ion pathways, enabled the development of a mechanically robust actuator. This actuator, featuring PEDOT PSS conductive polymer electrodes, demonstrated a blocking force of 4 gf under a 2V DC bias and powered a functional gripper robot. Additionally, blending lithium ion-conducting organophosphate-based smectic liquid crystals with vinyl polymers resulted in flexible, microphase-segregated composite membrane electrolytes. These electrolytes exhibited high ionic conductivity and self-extinguishing properties, making them suitable for ring-shaped soft actuators in haptic devices, capable of responding to high-frequency stimuli up to 110 Hz.
