Smart liquid crystal elastomer fibers

Abstract

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), possessing inherent anisotropy, are renowned for their capacity to undergo reversible, large deformations or significant structural color changes under external stimuli. When formed into one-dimensional structures, known as LCE fibers, these materials exhibit superior construction flexibility and exceptional response performance in applications such as actuators, artificial muscles, soft robots, and mechanochromic sensors, owing to their unique advantages of high aspect ratios and large specific surface areas. In this review, we focus on recent advances in LCE fibers. First, we introduce the stimulus-responsive mechanisms of LCE fibers. Then, we discuss the fabrication methods of LCE fibers, detailing the merits and demerits of each. After this, we present a summary of the applications of LCE fibers. Finally, we conclude with their current challenges and future opportunities. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and valuable perspective on LCE fibers for experts in the field of smart materials.