Molecular Switching in Liquid Crystal Elastomers

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Abstract
The synthesis is described of some liquid crystal polymers containing various degrees of cross linking units. Such materials show properties over and above those observed either from low molecular weight liquid crystals, or from conventional rubbers. Thus, though these compounds show simple rubber like elasticity in the isotropic phase, on cooling to the liquid crystal region, more complex behavior is observed, an example being the high levels of orientation produced at relatively low strain. Such materials also show unusual properties in that, when swollen with a low molecular weight liquid crystal, they undergo macroscopic shape changes in the presence of applied electric fields, in addition to the more usual electro-optic effects.