Architected Liquid Crystal Elastomer Lattices with Programmable Energy Absorption
Abstract
Abstract Architected LCE lattices are fabricated with flow‐induced alignment via direct ink writing and systematically characterized their shape morphing, stiffness, and energy absorption behavior across strain rates spanning six orders of magnitude from 10 −3 to 10 3 s −1 . It is shown that architected liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) lattices exhibit superior energy absorption compared to their non‐mesogenic (silicone) counterparts. Importantly, the LCE‐to‐silicone energy absorption ratios are up to 18‐fold higher at the highest strain rate tested. A finite element model that captures their shape‐morphing response is developed, which exhibits excellent agreement with the experimental observations. The work opens new avenues for designing and fabricating LCE lattices with programmable alignment, shape morphing, and mechanics.
Article Details
Authors (11)
Rodrigo Telles
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University
Julie A. Mancini
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA 94550 USA
Jorge‐Luis Barrera
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA 94550 USA
Marlini Simoes
California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA 91125 USA
Dominique H. Porcincula
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA 94550 USA
Adam Bischoff
School of Mechanical Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA
Devin J. Roach
School of Mechanical Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331 USA
Samuel C. Leguizamon
Sandia National Laboratories
Elaine Lee
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore CA 94550 USA
Caitlyn C. Cook
Materials Engineering Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Jennifer A. Lewis
John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University