Nematic elastomers with aligned carbon nanotubes: New electromechanical actuators

摘要: We demonstrate, for the first time, large electromechanical response in nematic liquid-crystalline elastomers filled with a very low ( ~ 0.01%) concentration of carbon nanotubes, aligned along director at preparation. The nanotubes create effective dielectric anisotropy composite. Their local field-induced torque is transmitted to rubber elastic network and registered as exerted uniaxial stress order 1 kPa constant field MV/m. investigate dependence effect on strength, nanotube reproducibility under multiple field-on -off cycles. results indicate potential nanotube-nematic elastomer composites electrically driven actuators.