Development of novel machine elements utilizing the cholesteric and smectic liquid crystals

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H02055
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 18040:Machine elements and tribology-related
• Research Institution: Kochi University of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Tsuji Tomohiro 高知工科大学, システム工学群, 教授 (60309721)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 蝶野 成臣 高知工科大学, システム工学群, 教授 (20155328)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 液晶 / 機械要素 / 非ニュートン流体 / マイクロアクチュエータ / マイクロマニピュレータ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have proposed the novel machine elements utilizing cholesteric and smectic liquid crystals which possess the molecular orientation configurations close to crystals. The first one is the micro-actuator using the cholesteric liquid crystal, which can drive three-dimensionally. We have successfully made the translational and rotational drive of a micro cholesteric liquid crystal droplet suspended in a liquid. The second one is the micromanipulator utilizing the interfacial force between the smectic liquid crystal and isotropic liquid phases. We have successfully captured the particle onto the interface and also estimated the interfacial force by analyzing the motion of the particle.

Free Research Field

流体工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，コレステリック液晶およびスメクティック液晶の力学についての学術的知見を積み上げるとともに，それらの液晶を利用した新たな機械要素の創出を行った．ディスプレイ材料として盛んに研究が行われてきたネマティック液晶に加え，上記の液晶の性質を調べることは学術および応用分野の両方に貢献する．また，本研究で提案した機械要素は，MEMSやLab-on-a-chipのようなマイクロ機械デバイスの駆動装置としての可能性を大きく秘めており，今後，更なる研究が期待できる．