Extrusion printing of liquid crystal elastomers
US11014285B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2105/0079
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of ink-extrusion printing an object, including providing a mixture including liquid crystal monomers and photo-catalyzing or heating the mixture to produce a liquid crystal ink. The ink is in a nematic phase. The method includes extruding the ink through a print-head orifice moving along a print direction to faun an extruded film of the object. The extruded film exhibits birefringence. Also disclosed are a liquid crystal ink. The ink includes a mixture including liquid crystal monomers. The mixture when at a target printing temperature is in a nematic phase. Also disclosed is ink-extrusion-printed object. The object includes an extrusion-printed film including a nematic liquid crystal elastomer, wherein the film exhibits birefringence along an extrusion axis of the film.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.