Making practical-level applications of mechanochromic chiral liquid crystal elastomer fibers for real-time stress sensing

Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) fibers are increasingly recognized for their potential in optomechanical applications within smart textiles, catering to industries such as fashion and healthcare. Traditional CLCE fibers, however, suffer from significant hysteresis during stress relaxation, which introduces delays in response to mechanical stimuli and limits their efficacy in dynamic environments. In this study, we introduce a novel fiber design combining a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) core with a CLCE sheath, referred to as CLCE-SC fibers. This design enhances the optical and mechanical performance of the fibers, achieving high strength (100.9 MPa), exceptional toughness (270 MJ/m³), and rapid resilience (60% strain recovery at 49.98 cm/s). The integration of TPE not only fortifies the mechanical integrity of the fibers but also enables tunable optical responses to stress, facilitating real-time stress detection without the lag associated with traditional CLCE fibers. These advancements position our CLCE-SC fibers as a versatile tool for developing responsive and durable smart textiles capable of adapting to varying mechanical stresses in real-time applications.