Domestic instruments, such as microwave, compact disks, cookware, etc., are also
fields, where LCPs are used. LCPs also find applications in the medical field such as
cancer diagnosis, pharmacological tests, diagnostic aids, and thin films for high
strength medical applications. Low coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent
toughness, low thermal shrinkage, and resistance to chemicals, fuels, and solvents
make them potential candidates in the field of aircraft and automobile applications.
In addition, other applications include high strength fibers for the helmet and
bulletproof vests, sports equipment, etc.
Cholesteric liquid crystals, in particular, possess inherent periodic nature in the
form of helix leading to the formation of a supramolecular structure that can be selforganized to form photonic crystals. In a recent study, Lin et al. have developed an
electrically tunable composite laser made of liquid crystal and polymer in the form of
a symmetric sandwich structure (Lin et al. 2020). This kind of device opens up the
potential of the liquid crystal-based polymer composites in the field of medical
imaging, displays, sensors, etc. Schematic of a LCP composite laser has been
displayed in Fig. 17.
Multifunctionality is an indispensable feature for the application of soft actuator,
energy generators, flexible electronics, and soft robotics. Liquid crystal network
remains a platform for fabricating soft actuators due to the outstanding combination
of properties such as reversible shape-changing behavior, by self-organization of
LCNs. In a recent study, Yu et al. have fabricated an LCN-based soft actuator where
the LCN offers reversible shape-changing properties (Yu et al. 2020). Among
various smart materials, LCNs are attractive due to the self-organization behavior.
Soft actuators based on liquid crystal networks are used in grippers, walkers,
swimmers, energy generators, and oscillators.
Fig. 17 Representation of LCP composite laser. (Redrawn and reprinted with permission from Lin
et al. 2020)
1 Introduction to Liquid Crystalline Polymers
23
fields, where LCPs are used. LCPs also find applications in the medical field such as
cancer diagnosis, pharmacological tests, diagnostic aids, and thin films for high
strength medical applications. Low coefficient of thermal expansion, excellent
toughness, low thermal shrinkage, and resistance to chemicals, fuels, and solvents
make them potential candidates in the field of aircraft and automobile applications.
In addition, other applications include high strength fibers for the helmet and
bulletproof vests, sports equipment, etc.
Cholesteric liquid crystals, in particular, possess inherent periodic nature in the
form of helix leading to the formation of a supramolecular structure that can be selforganized to form photonic crystals. In a recent study, Lin et al. have developed an
electrically tunable composite laser made of liquid crystal and polymer in the form of
a symmetric sandwich structure (Lin et al. 2020). This kind of device opens up the
potential of the liquid crystal-based polymer composites in the field of medical
imaging, displays, sensors, etc. Schematic of a LCP composite laser has been
displayed in Fig. 17.
Multifunctionality is an indispensable feature for the application of soft actuator,
energy generators, flexible electronics, and soft robotics. Liquid crystal network
remains a platform for fabricating soft actuators due to the outstanding combination
of properties such as reversible shape-changing behavior, by self-organization of
LCNs. In a recent study, Yu et al. have fabricated an LCN-based soft actuator where
the LCN offers reversible shape-changing properties (Yu et al. 2020). Among
various smart materials, LCNs are attractive due to the self-organization behavior.
Soft actuators based on liquid crystal networks are used in grippers, walkers,
swimmers, energy generators, and oscillators.
Fig. 17 Representation of LCP composite laser. (Redrawn and reprinted with permission from Lin
et al. 2020)
1 Introduction to Liquid Crystalline Polymers
23