Stimuli-Triggered Release through Liquid Crystal-Mediated Chain Reaction

Abstract

Recently, systems for stimuli-responsive release have received much attention, but they typically require specific materials, limiting their use. Our study presents a novel approach that possess stimuli-responsive properties by using liquid crystals (LCs). The proposed method is characterized by its simplicity and adaptability. We recently designed a "Polymer Printer" that releases microcarriers that elastically levitating within the LCs in response to stimuli. The printer has two wells filled with LCs containing monomer (e.g., alginate) and cross-linker as microcarriers. When a stimulus is introduced, the monomer is released first, and then the cross-linker follows as a chain reaction to form a gel. Therefore, it will work as a polymer printer and have a wide range of potential applications due to its versatility and effectiveness. Supported by NRF(2021R1A2C2095010 & 2022M3C1A3081312) and POSCO Science Fellowship funded by POSCO TJ Park Foundation.