Dynamic Liquid Crystal Elastomer Surfaces: From Bulk Responses to Interfacial Functions

ABSTRACT Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) combine liquid crystal orientational order with the elasticity of polymer networks and respond to thermal, optical, electrical, chemical, and mechanical stimuli. These responses can change not only the shape of an LCE but also its surface morphology and properties. The resulting surface changes can regulate wetting, adhesion, friction, biological contact, and interactions with light, electromagnetic waves, and sound. This review summarizes recent progress in molecular and network design, alignment programming, surface fabrication, and functional layer integration for LCE surfaces and LCE‐driven composite interfaces. The resulting functions are organized into fluid, mechanical, and wave interactions. Guided by the central idea that bulk responses generate deformation while surface states determine interfacial behavior, this review discusses functions controlled by LCE surfaces and examines the conversion of bulk deformation into changes in surface shape and properties. These dynamic surface states enable liquid manipulation, adhesion and friction control, biological and haptic interfaces, optical readout, and wave modulation. Finally, the review discusses challenges and future directions in reliable switching, scalable fabrication, and feedback control. By linking bulk responses to changes in surface and interfacial states, it provides a framework for understanding and designing functional LCE surfaces and LCE‐driven composite interfaces.