free-form-light-actuators-fabrication-control-actuation-microscopic

Free-form Light Actuators &#8212; Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials capable of reversible shape-change in response to external stimuli, and have attracted ...

University of Florence

Total synthesis of (-)-uniflorine A (3) has been accomplished in nine steps and 11% overall yield from carbohydrate-based nitrone 5. The key steps of the synthetic strategy were a high regio- and complete stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of alkene 6 with nitrone 5, a Tamao-Fleming reaction for replacing the silicon substituent with a hydroxy group with retention of configuration, and a Mitsunobu reaction to establish the correct configuration of the target molecule at C-6.

Total synthesis of (-)-uniflorine A.

The paper describes 3D structures made of liquid-crystalline elastomer (LCE) - rings, woodpiles, etc. - fabricated by two-photon absorption direct laser writing with sub-micrometer resolution while maintaining the desired molecular orientation. These results lay the foundations for creating 3D, micrometer-sized, light-controlled LCE structures.

High-resolution 3D direct laser writing for liquid-crystalline elastomer microstructures.

The first microscopic artificial walker equipped with liquid-crystalline elastomer muscle is reported. The walker is fabricated by direct laser writing, is smaller than any known living terrestrial creatures, and is capable of several autonomous locomotions on different surfaces.

Light-Fueled Microscopic Walkers.

Microorganisms move in challenging environments by periodic changes in body shape. In contrast, current artificial microrobots cannot actively deform, exhibiting at best passive bending under external fields. Here, by taking advantage of the wireless, scalable and spatiotemporally selective capabilities that light allows, we show that soft microrobots consisting of photoactive liquid-crystal elastomers can be driven by structured monochromatic light to perform sophisticated biomimetic motions. We realize continuum yet selectively addressable artificial microswimmers that generate travelling-wave motions to self-propel without external forces or torques, as well as microrobots capable of versatile locomotion behaviours on demand. Both theoretical predictions and experimental results confirm that multiple gaits, mimicking either symplectic or antiplectic metachrony of ciliate protozoa, can be achieved with single microswimmers. The principle of using structured light can be extended to other applications that require microscale actuation with sophisticated spatiotemporal coordination for advanced microrobotic technologies.

Article	Year
Total synthesis of (-)-uniflorine A. Journal of natural products\| PubMed ID: 19835391	2009
High-resolution 3D direct laser writing for liquid-crystalline elastomer microstructures. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)\| PubMed ID: 24421068	2014
Light-Fueled Microscopic Walkers. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)\| PubMed ID: 26033690	2015
Structured light enables biomimetic swimming and versatile locomotion of photoresponsive soft microrobots. Nature materials\| PubMed ID: 26878315	2016

Daniele Martella

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