Topography from topology in liquid crystal elastomer coatings

ORAL

Abstract

Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) free-standing films containing topological defects deform on heating into three-dimensional shapes [1-3]. Attaching such LCE films to a rigid substrate as a coating provides the opportunity to create temperature-responsive surface topography, a phenomenon demonstrated by Babakhanova et al [4]. Using finite element method (FEM) simulation, we model surface deformations produced by LCE coatings with defects as a function of both topological charge and orientational phase angle. We find that, on heating, a radial +1 defect produces an inward depression while a circular +1 produces an outward elevation. The -1 defect and higher order +/- integer defects produce wrinkle patterns with out-of-plane surface deformations. By contrast, +/- half-integer defects give rise to both out-of-plane and in-plane displacements. Theoretical calculations in the limit of small strain elasticity explain these results and are compared with both FEM simulation and experimental data. [1] McConney et al, Adv Mater 25, 5880 (2013); [2] Konya et al, Front Mater 3, 24 (2016); [3] Modes et al Phys Rev E 81, 060701R (2010); [4] Babakhanova et al Nat Commun 9, 456 (2018).

*Supported by NSF DMR-1409658, NSF CMMI-1663041, and Office of Sciences DOE grant DE-SC0019105.

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Presenters

  • Youssef Mosaddeghian Golestani

    • Kent State University

Authors

  • Youssef Mosaddeghian Golestani

    • Kent State University

  • Greta Babakhanova

    • Kent State University
    • Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA

  • Michael P Varga

    • Kent State University

  • Hao Yu

    • Kent State University
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242, USA
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State Univeristy

  • Jonathan Selinger

    • Kent State University

  • Qi-Huo Wei

    • Kent State University
    • Advanced Material and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH44242
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242, USA
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program and Physics Department, Kent State University
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State Univeristy

  • O D Lavrentovich

    • Kent State University
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242, USA
    • Department of Physics and Advanced Materials Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute and Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program and Physics Department, Kent State University
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State Univeristy
    • Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute / Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
    • Department of Physics, Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program, Kent State University

  • Robin Selinger

    • Kent State University