Stimulus responsive elastomers are advanced engineered materials that perform desired functionalities when triggered by external stimuli. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are one important example that exhibit reversible actuation when cycled above and below their nematic-to-isotropic transition temperature. Here, we propose a micromechanical-based model that is centered on the evolution of the chain distribution tensor of the LCE network. Our model, framed within the statistical model of the chain network, enables a mesoscale description of their mechanical response under an external thermal stimulus. We compare the model to prior experimental observations of the bending response of 3D printed LCE elements with controlled director alignment.

刺激响应性弹性体是先进的工程材料，在受到外部刺激时会执行所需的功能。液晶弹性体（LCE）是一个重要的例子，当在其向列至各向同性转变温度之上和之下循环时，其显示可逆的致动。在这里，我们提出了一个基于微机械的模型，该模型以LCE网络的链分布张量的演化为中心。我们的模型以链网络的统计模型为框架，能够在外部热刺激下对其机械响应进行中尺度描述。我们将模型与3D打印LCE元素具有受控指向矢对齐方式的弯曲响应的先前实验观察结果进行了比较。