Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a material that combines the self-ordering properties of liquid crystals with the elasticity of a polymer network. The result is an elastic material that can reversibly change shape in response to an external stimulus, such as light or heat. These dynamic properties make LCEs highly promising for next-generation smart materials, with applications in fields such as soft robotics, adaptive surfaces, and programmable actuators. However, their practical use is hindered by complex fabrication—imprinting the shape-change direction requires an external orientational field, limiting LCEs mostly to thin strip-like forms or relying on low-yield additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing, to produce 3D objects. All these factors greatly hinder their real-life application.
To overcome these limitations, our group has developed polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elastomers (PDLCEs)—a composite material consisting of liquid crystal elastomer microparticles embedded in a polymer matrix. The composite nature enables PDLCEs to be moulded into arbitrary shapes and sizes and to have their shape-change programmed using an external magnetic field, bypassing several fabrication constraints of traditional LCEs. Our recent breakthrough has also introduced shape-memory properties, allowing an already prepared PDLCE to be reprogrammed into a new shape through simple thermal cycling and mechanical stress. Additionally, both the liquid and cured states of PDLCE melts exhibit intriguing mechanical and rheological properties, offering new possibilities for applications such as mechanical damping and viscosity control.
Our research group is actively working to further the development of LCEs and PDLCEs, both in terms of real-world applications and fundamental understanding of their unique properties. This includes investigating their thermomechanical behaviour and molecular dynamics using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. As a PhD candidate, you will be part of a dynamic research environment, gaining expertise in materials science, liquid crystal and polymer physics, with some key aspects of their synthesis. During your studies, we will focus on introducing new properties to PDLCEs, such as reversible shape-memory and conductivity, while also developing soft devices with embedded electronics and modular assembly capabilities. Your work will involve using experimental techniques such as thermomechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and polarizing optical microscopy. You will also become proficient in solid-state NMR spectroscopy, learning additional NMR methods such as diffusion NMR and magic-angle spinning, and contribute to developing a setup for rheology NMR. Beyond lab work, you will also have opportunities to participate in international scientific conferences and workshops in the fields of smart materials and solid-state NMR.
You can find more information on our internet site: http://lcelab.ijs.si/index.html