The elastic response of a smectic-C elastomer to three deformations, namely imposed lambda(xx), lambda(xz), and lambda(zz), has been modeled using a nonlinear theory of a nematic elastomer with embedded smectic layers, and with the director tilt (in the x direction) at a fixed angle with respect to the smectic layer normal (z direction). The main focus is the elastic response after any soft mod...

Abstract Improper disposal and accumulation of waste tire rubbers have posed a serious threat to the development circular economy, sustainable environment, human health. In light drawback current management tires, recycling transformation reclaimed rubber (RR) into valuable end products has received significant attention from industries academic field. Herein, we propose facile method reuse RR ...

Citation: Bera T, Malcuit C, Clements RJ and Hegmann E (2016) Role of Surfactant during Microemulsion Photopolymerization for the Creation of Three-Dimensional Liquid Crystal Elastomer Microsphere Spatial Cell Scaffolds. Front. Mater. 3:31. doi: 10.3389/fmats.2016.00031 role of surfactant during Microemulsion Photopolymerization for the creation of Three-Dimensional liquid crystal elastomer Mic...

We find that low molecular weight liquid crystalline cooperative effects acting over length scales larger than the typical mesh size of a liquid single crystalline elastomer {LSCE), controls the elastomer shape. This result provides a “proof of concept” for the novel suggestion of de Gennes et al. that LSCEs may be used as temperature activated artificial muscles.

Because these reactive sites are pendant (not part of the main backbone chain) there are no weak points on the main chain. This is unlike for example Natural Rubber or SBR, where these necessary reactive sites are along the main chain. This means that reactive entities in the atmosphere (for example Ozone, which is very aggressive) can easily attack and degrade these materials. This also explai...

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study is to evaluate interfacial bond strength between silicone prosthetic elastomers and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Silicone elastomers were attached to PMMA and a total 120 specimens were fabricated which were then subdivided into 12 sub-groups. Each sample was then subjected to laboratory test to determine the bond strength. The specime...

The development of thin-film dielectric elastomer strain sensors for the characterization of smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction is presented here. Smooth muscle disorders are an integral part of diseases such as asthma and emphysema. Analytical tools enabling the characterization of SMC function i.e. contractile force and strain, in a low-cost and highly parallelized manner are necessary for ...

When a voltage is applied to a layer of a dielectric elastomer, the layer reduces in thickness and expands in area. A recent experiment has shown that the homogeneous deformation of the layer can be unstable, giving way to an inhomogeneous deformation, such that regions of two kinds coexist in the layer, one being flat and the other wrinkled. To analyze this instability, we construct for a clas...

In this study, a maxillofacial silicone elastomer was stained with cigarette smoke. The stain was then removed by solvent extraction using 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The cigarette smoke produced large color changes in the elastomer as measured from spectrophotometric reflectance curves. The solvent was totally effective in removing the cigarette stain without changing the color of the silicone base.