Bioinspired Photo‐Actuator of Liquid Crystal Polymer Based on the Integrated Effect of Alignment Mode and Architecture Design

Abstract Inspired by the interesting actuating phenomenon in nature, various superior photo‐actuation performance and promising applications have been developed from liquid crystal polymer with combined properties of both the anisotropy of liquid crystals and the reversible deformation properties of elastomers. Their photo‐actuation behaviors and the potential applications mainly depend on the integrated effect of alignment modes and the architecture of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). This review summarizes the bio‐inspired fabrication of a photo‐responsive actuator of LCE based on the alignment mode integrated of the architecture (including assembly approach, cutting technique, layer structure, etc), referring to the concept, basic properties of LCE, and the various alignment modes for the assembled LCE. Especially, the emphasis is put on the various LCE actuation behaviors based on different molecular alignment modes (e.g., planar, splay, and complex alignment) integrated into architecture design, such as simple bending driven from planar alignment, self‐oscillation and jumping driven by splay alignment, and complex deformations like conical morphologies triggered by complex alignment. Finally, current challenges and potential research directions are discussed, which provide insights for the design and fabrication of the new actuation mode.