◆Background◆
Increasing demand for wearable haptic interfaces that deliver realistic existence of virtual objects in telexistence systems. Ion-conductive polymer actuators are one of the promising materials due to their processability, light weight, flexibility, and low-voltage operation. The key issues are the induction of both large force generation and displacement.
◆Aim◆
Ion-conductive liquid-crystalline polymers forming fast ion channels have potential to produce mechanically tough actuators that can induce fast and large displacement based on the synchronization between the ion mobility and liquid-crystalline nanostructures. In-situ photopolymerization of ionic liquid crystals is a key strategy to provide the polymer actuators.
Synchronization of Ions−Liquid Crystal Molecules and
Control of Their Actuator Functions
"Haptic Interface: Ion-Conductive Liquid-Crystalline Actuators"
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