Reconfigurable cellular metamaterials

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Liquid crystalline elastomers can be programmed to undergo anisotropic transformations through spatial control of molecular alignment. This project explores how local liquid crystal orientation can be coupled with cellular architecture to create reconfigurable microstructured materials with programmable shape change.

Eliciting diverse motion trajectories in a single-material micropost

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Liquid crystalline elastomer microstructures can transform molecular alignment into complex, programmable motion. This project explores how single-material microposts can be designed to generate diverse motion trajectories, including bending, twisting, oscillatory, and non-reciprocal actuation, by encoding anisotropy across molecular, microstructural, and geometric length scales.

These systems provide a materials-based route to soft robotic motion without relying on conventional motors or multi-material assemblies. By programming internal order and responsive mechanics, we aim to create microactuators that exhibit rich, adaptive, and autonomous behaviors under external stimuli.

liquid crystalline elastomers | SRM-Lab

Reconfigurable cellular metamaterials

Eliciting diverse motion trajectories in a single-material micropost