Liquid crystal elastomer micro-structures and their applications

Liquid crystal elastomers （LCEs）have potential applications in medical micro-robotics， controllable surface microstructures ，and microfluidics due to their programmable shape morphing and up to 400% strain. To achieve high-resolution molecular orientations and high-precision LCE microstructures， advanced alignment and micro/nano-fabrication techniques are required. Here，we presented current alignment techniques and micro/nano-fabrication techniques for LCE micro-structures，summarized their applications in micro-actuators，artificial muscle fibers，and controllable surfaces，and envisaged their future development in medical micro-robotics.