Two liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) were synthesized based on those reported by Finkelmann and coworkers. The elastomers were mechanically aligned in the SmA phase. One of the elastomers was prepared with a chiral mesogen with the aim of producing a SmA* phase. Both these elastomers were studied mechanically under the influence of a uniaxial force; also their response to thermally and electrically induced dimensional changes was measured. Dimensional changes were measured using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). Crosslinking liquid crystal polymers increases the materials’ Young’s modulus and gives it the ability to retain its original shape upon removal of external forces. This characteristic makes LCEs highly suitable as actuator devices. Electromechanical studies performed on these samples indicate a need to improve material composition.
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