Three-dimensional blueprinting of molecular patterns in liquid crystalline polymers

Abstract

Exploiting the interplay of anisotropic diamagnetic susceptibility of liquid crystalline monomers and site selective photopolymerization enables the fabrication of 3D freeforms with highly refined microstructures.

Degradable biomedical elastomers: paving the future of tissue repair and regenerative medicine

“…279–281 Bioprinting is the precise three-dimensional structural design and integration of biomaterials, cells and bioactive molecules to fabricate implantable materials to which tissue cells can adhere and proliferate. Polyurethanes, 176 poly(glycerol sebacate), 282 polycitrate, 283,284 polycaprolactone, 285 and LCE 286 have shown extremely strong potential for tissue repair applications. Additionally, to avoid the problems of uneven heating and difficulty controlling the curing time during the printing process, researchers have continuously innovated printing technology.…”

Photochemically responsive polymer films enable tunable gliding flights

“…These mechanisms can be roughly divided into three categories 22 : (1) Seeds with a parachute-like structure, such as dandelions, have a filament structure that creates air resistance; (2) Seeds that can glide in the air, such as Javan cucumber that have wing-like structures, and (3) maple samara and similar species can autorotate in the air, generating lift through a helicopter-like mechanism. Extensive aerodynamic studies of these mechanisms have been conducted, drawing inspiration from natural examples 23 , and pioneering studies about artificial dispersers that work as passive fliers 24 – 26 . Today, artificial dandelions based on smart materials not only exhibit similar properties of separated vortex ring generation and dispersing stably in the air like natural ones but are also capable of light-controllable take-off and landing in response to external stimuli 27 .…”