Light-Driven Continual Oscillatory Rocking of a Polymer Film |
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| Authors: | Marina Pilz da Cunha Akhil R. Peeketi Adithya Ramgopal Prof. Ratna K. Annabattula Prof. Albert P. H. J. Schenning |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands;2. Stimuli-Responsive Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), 600036 Chennai, India |
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| Abstract: | Achieving oscillatory motion in polymers without requiring on/off switching of stimuli is a current challenge. Hereby, a free-standing liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is demonstrated to undergo a sustained oscillatory motion when triggered by light, moving back and forth, resembling the motion of a rocking-chair. Two polymer films having different azobenzene photo-switches have been studied, revealing photoswitch requirements as well as illumination conditions necessary to sustain oscillations. The motion presented here shows how feedback loops involving light-triggered actuation, self-shadowing and a shifting center of gravity can be utilized to achieve self-sustained motion in free-standing polymers. |
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| Keywords: | light-driven oscillation polymers azo compounds sustained motion light-driven liquid crystal actuators |
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