Prof. Helen F. Gleeson, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds: Auxetic liquid crystal elastomers; a bit of a stretch!

Prof. Helen F. Gleeson

Cavendish Professor and Head of School,

School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, UK

Auxetic liquid crystal elastomers; a bit of a stretch!

Povzetek / Abstract:

Materials are said to be auxetic if they have negative Poisson’s Ratio. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are crosslinked rubbers which include liquid crystalline units that provide functionality, order and anisotropy. LCEs respond at a molecular level, exhibiting shape-responsivity and programmability when actuated with light, heat or mechanical stimulation. We recently discovered the first synthetic material to display molecular auxeticity in an LCE that we designed and synthesised. Molecular auxetics have been a longstanding, unrealised goal for materials scientists with several nano-engineering  approaches suggested, so this discovery offers a paradigm shift for materials science and engineering. In fact, the nanoscale functionality behind the phenomenon is  still something of a puzzle that we’re unravelling.