Light-induced autotomy based on topological defects in a liquid crystal network

Nien-Jung Chiang¹, Jieh-Wen Tsung², Yu-Chieh Cheng^1*

¹Dept. of Electro-optical engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
²Dept. of Electrophysics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan

* Presenter:Yu-Chieh Cheng, email:yu-chieh.cheng@mail.ntut.edu.tw

This study employs topological defects as a fundamental mechanism to investigate the phenomenon of light-induced self-severing in liquid crystal networks (LCNs). We program the alignments of LCNs in a predetermined topological pattern using a non-contact photoalignment method. Upon illumination, the patterned LCN undergoes controlled cracking, originating from topological defects and extending in a specific arrangement to create straight-line fractures. Strategic manipulation of defects through controlled illumination introduces a novel method for achieving self-severing and self-adaptive properties within LCNs.

Keywords: Soft matter, Liquid crystal networks, Topological defects, Photopatterning