Direct-Ink-Written Shape-Programmable Micro-Supercapacitors with Electrothermal Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Abstract

The growing demand for miniaturized energy storage devices in next-generation renewable energy applications faces constraints from conventional micro-energy storage systems with fixed geometries, which limit their adaptability and functional integration in technological applications. Traditional fabrication methods, hinder by their complexity and insufficient structural precision, struggle to integrate shape-programmable functionality into compact energy storage devices for complex operating conditions. In this research, an innovative direct ink writing-based (DIW-based) strategy is proposed to co-fabricate liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) into a unified electrically controlled, shape-programmable LCE-MSCs. The LCE-MSC integration achieves robust electrochemical performance with charge storage capacity, excellent rate and cycling stability performance. These LCE-MSCs demonstrate rapid, reversible deformation under low-voltage stimulation while retaining stable energy storage performance. By modulating the printing patterns of LCE filaments, diverse configurations of shape-programmable LCE-MSCs can be achieved. Furthermore, integration with sensors enables adaptive devices capable of static object recognition and real-time humidity monitoring. These results underscore the potential of shape-programmable MSCs with seamless power-actuation integration, which can open new opportunity for diverse applications in adaptive robotics, wearable electronics, and autonomous shape-programmable systems.