Force‐Trainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Enabled by Mechanophore‐Induced Radical Polymerization

Abstract In nature, organisms adapt to environmental changes through training to learn new abilities, offering valuable insights for developing intelligent materials. However, replicating this “adaptive learning” in synthetic materials presents a significant challenge. This study introduces a feasible approach to train liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) by integrating a mechanophore tetraarylsuccinonitrile into their main chain, addressing the challenge of enabling synthetic materials to exchange substances with their environment. Inspired by biological training, the LCEs can self‐strengthen and acquire new functionalities through mechanical stress‐induced radical polymerization. The research not only enhances the mechanical performance of LCEs, but also endows them with the ability to learn properties such as flexibility, light responsiveness, and fluorescence. These advancements are crucial for overcoming the limitations of current materials, paving the way for the creation of advanced intelligent soft materials with autonomous self‐improvement, akin to the adaptive skills of living organisms.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2025-01-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202423584
Primary Topic
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Force‐Trainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Enabled by Mechanophore‐Induced Radical Polymerization

Yinliang Huang, Hong Yang, Shuai Huang, Yiyi Xu et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
article

Force‐Trainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Enabled by Mechanophore‐Induced Radical Polymerization

Yinliang Huang, Hong Yang, Shuai Huang, Yiyi Xu, Quan Li, Jinyu Wang
article en

Abstract

Abstract In nature, organisms adapt to environmental changes through training to learn new abilities, offering valuable insights for developing intelligent materials. However, replicating this “adaptive learning” in synthetic materials presents a significant challenge. This study introduces a feasible approach to train liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) by integrating a mechanophore tetraarylsuccinonitrile into their main chain, addressing the challenge of enabling synthetic materials to exchange substances with their environment. Inspired by biological training, the LCEs can self‐strengthen and acquire new functionalities through mechanical stress‐induced radical polymerization. The research not only enhances the mechanical performance of LCEs, but also endows them with the ability to learn properties such as flexibility, light responsiveness, and fluorescence. These advancements are crucial for overcoming the limitations of current materials, paving the way for the creation of advanced intelligent soft materials with autonomous self‐improvement, akin to the adaptive skills of living organisms.

Angewandte ChemieVol. 137(15)
Kent State University (US), Southeast University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Openalex Percentile: Top 99%
Advanced Materials and Mechanics
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Force‐Trainable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Enabled by Mechanophore‐Induced Radical Polymerization — Yinliang Huang, Hong Yang, et al. · Angewandte Chemie (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS