Nematic Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Elastomers

The goal of this project is to develop a class of smart materials known as “Electroactive Liquid Crystal Elastomers” which undergo shape change and exhibit locomotion by an applied electric field. Ferroelectric molecules will be specifically used in the design and synthesis of these materials which are expected to increase the dielectric constant of the elastomer and result in spontaneous polarization and shape change under the applied electric field. This goal is achieved by two methods: (1) Addition of ferroelectric liquid crystal molecules to the previously developed liquid crystal elastomers, and (2) Synthesizing a new class of liquid crystal elastomers that all its molecular components are composed of ferroelectric molecules. Moreover, the developed material will be studied in terms of mechanical, electrical, and optical properties.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hamed Shahsavan

Student:

Partner:

HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Technology; Other

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: