Liquid Crystal Elastomer News Today

FibeRobo is a liquid crystal elastomer fiber that can change its shape in response to thermal stimuli. Compatible with existing textile manufacturing machinery, it could be used to make morphing textiles, like a jacket that changes its insulating properties.

Developed by MIT researchers, FibeRobo changes structure with heat and cold.

CU Boulder engineers developed a rubber-like film that can leap high into the air like a grasshopper all on its own.

Conventionally, active metasurface scientists have mainly concentrated on altering the dielectric constant and permeability of the substrate, which usually leads to resonance effect and ohmic loss. However, a reconfigurable metasurface that is based on mechanical deformation can evade these concerns.