A self-sustained soft actuator able to rock and roll

Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Sep 21;55(74):11029-11032. doi: 10.1039/c9cc05329h. Epub 2019 Aug 27.

Abstract

A triangular shaped liquid crystal network is shown to undergo a continual, rocking chair-like oscillatory chaotic motion upon exposure to a surface of constant temperature. With the addition of an azobenzene chromophore, dual response is achieved, extending the actuation freedom towards a film that shows rocking and rolling motion.