Advancing interactive systems with liquid crystal network-based adaptive electronics

Advancing interactive systems with liquid crystal network-based adaptive electronics

17 May 2024 | Pengrong Lyu, Dirk J. Broer, Danqing Liu
The paper presents an innovative adaptive electronic unit based on liquid crystal oligomer networks (LCONs) that integrates sensing, signal processing, and actuating functionalities. Inspired by the adaptive behavior of *Mimosa pudica Linn*, the unit can respond to environmental stimuli such as heat, light, and touch, converting these stimuli into electrical signals. The LCON film undergoes anisotropic deformations when exposed to minor heat pulses, which are integrated into an electric circuit to facilitate switching. The unit features distributed information processing, including feedback loops and cascading signal transmission across multiple adaptive units, enabling progressive and multi-layered responses to dynamic changes in its environment. This system holds significant potential for advancing flexible electronics, soft robotics, and swarm intelligence by providing a single piece of responsive material with adaptive capabilities. The authors demonstrate the concept through an interactive system that mimics the touch-sensitive response of a real *Mimosa* plant, showcasing the unit's ability to create a positive feedback loop and signal cascade transmission.The paper presents an innovative adaptive electronic unit based on liquid crystal oligomer networks (LCONs) that integrates sensing, signal processing, and actuating functionalities. Inspired by the adaptive behavior of *Mimosa pudica Linn*, the unit can respond to environmental stimuli such as heat, light, and touch, converting these stimuli into electrical signals. The LCON film undergoes anisotropic deformations when exposed to minor heat pulses, which are integrated into an electric circuit to facilitate switching. The unit features distributed information processing, including feedback loops and cascading signal transmission across multiple adaptive units, enabling progressive and multi-layered responses to dynamic changes in its environment. This system holds significant potential for advancing flexible electronics, soft robotics, and swarm intelligence by providing a single piece of responsive material with adaptive capabilities. The authors demonstrate the concept through an interactive system that mimics the touch-sensitive response of a real *Mimosa* plant, showcasing the unit's ability to create a positive feedback loop and signal cascade transmission.
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