Motorized liquid crystals activate chirals performing work

Liquid crystals are known for their well-controlled molecular organization which is used to the benefit of liquid crystal displays, diffractive optics, soft robotics, and active surfaces. When chirality is introduced to the liquid crystal, the molecular organization becomes more complex as the director field becomes nonuniform. In our work we combine these chiral liquid crystals with motor molecules that change conformation or orientation upon activation by an external trigger, usually light or electricity. In the presentation we will discuss the principles and place them in the perspective of applications such as information windows, haptic surfaces, pick-and-place elements, soft robotics and surface effects for lubrication and debris removal.