Light‐Driven Continual Oscillatory Rocking of a Polymer Film
Marina Pilz da Cunha,
Akhil R. Peeketi,
Adithya Ramgopal,
Prof. Ratna K. Annabattula,
Prof. Albert P. H. J. Schenning
Affiliations
Marina Pilz da Cunha
Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
Akhil R. Peeketi
Stimuli-Responsive Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) 600036 Chennai India
Adithya Ramgopal
Stimuli-Responsive Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) 600036 Chennai India
Prof. Ratna K. Annabattula
Stimuli-Responsive Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) 600036 Chennai India
Prof. Albert P. H. J. Schenning
Laboratory of Stimuli-responsive Functional Materials & Devices, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
Abstract Achieving oscillatory motion in polymers without requiring on/off switching of stimuli is a current challenge. Hereby, a free‐standing liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is demonstrated to undergo a sustained oscillatory motion when triggered by light, moving back and forth, resembling the motion of a rocking‐chair. Two polymer films having different azobenzene photo‐switches have been studied, revealing photoswitch requirements as well as illumination conditions necessary to sustain oscillations. The motion presented here shows how feedback loops involving light‐triggered actuation, self‐shadowing and a shifting center of gravity can be utilized to achieve self‐sustained motion in free‐standing polymers.
