Programmable nanocomposites

Abstract

A shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer. The elastomer comprising cross-linked and polymerized nematic, isotropic monomers with carbon nanotubes that are organized into a plurality of voxels. Each voxel has a director orientation such that each voxel of the plurality has a first state according to the director orientation and a second state according to cross-linkages of the polymerized nematic monomers. The elastomer transitions between the first and second states with exposure to an electric field.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid crystal film comprising:
 a shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer comprising cross-linked and polymerized nematic, isotropic monomers with nanotubes; and   a topographical defect within the shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer, the topographical defect having a first state and a second state, wherein the topographical defect is configured to assume the first state with a presence of the electric field and to assume the second state in an absence of the electric field.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein a nanotube content ranges from 0.02 wt % to 1.0 wt %. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are carbon nanotubes, boron nanotubes, or TMD platelets. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotubes are single-wall carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the nanotube content ranges from 0.02 wt % to 1.0 wt %. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary chemical.   
     
     
         7 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 6 , wherein the auxiliary chemical is a photoinitator, a chain extender or both. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 7 , wherein the photoinitator is IRGACURE-651. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 7 , wherein the chain extender is an ethanedithiol, an aliphatic dithiol, or an amine. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the nematic monomers are selected from the group consisting of acrylates, methacrylates, thiols, vinyl, epoxides, and amines. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the nematic monomers include a ratio mixture of a diacrylate and an amine. 
     
     
         12 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 11 , wherein the diacrylate is 1,4-bis-[4-(6-acryloxyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyloxy]-2-methylbenzene and the amine is n-butyl amine. 
     
     
         13 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer includes a mesogen. 
     
     
         14 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a domain comprising adjacent voxels of the plurality having similar director orientation.   
     
     
         15 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein each voxel of the plurality has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a depth dimension. 
     
     
         16 . The liquid crystal film of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerized, nematic monomer is polymerized diacrylate functionalized azobenzene.