Abstract Modern optics and photonics constantly require break‐through materials designs in order to achieve miniature, lightweight, highly tunable, effective optical devices. One of the basic components is diffraction grating (DG), widely used for dispersion light, beam steering, etc. This review gathers research efforts on diffractive elements based cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) with a supramolecular helical architecture. All main types fabrication approaches periodic structures from...

Interfacing molecular photoswitches with liquid crystal polymers enables the amplification of their nanoscale motion into macroscopic shape transformations. Typically, mechanism responsible for actuation involves light-induced disorder. Here, we demonstrate that bistable hydrazones can drive (chiral) transformations in polymer networks, photogenerated shapes displaying a long-term stability mirrors switches. The photoinduced buildup tension polymer, negligible influence on crystalline order....

A novel type of rotatable diffraction volume gratings based on cholesteric liquid crystals with phototunable helix pitch is elaborated. For this purpose the crystalline mixture high tunability and reversible photoinduced handedness inversion containing azobenzene‐derivative chiral‐photochromic dopant developed. It was shown that prepared under hybrid (homeotropic – planar) boundary conditions spontaneously forms a well‐oriented striped domain texture which acts as phase grating. Under effect...

Abstract The transmission of chiral information between the molecular, meso and microscopic scales is a facet biology that remains challenging to understand mechanistically mimic with artificial systems. Here we demonstrate dynamic change in expression chirality rotaxane can be transduced into pitch soft matter system. Shuttling position macrocycle from far‐away‐from close‐to point‐chiral center on axle changes transmitted across length scales; nanometer scale constitutional affects...

Abstract The motion of artificial molecular machines has been amplified into the shape transformation polymer materials that have compared to muscles, where mechanically active molecules work together produce a contraction. In spite this progress, harnessing cooperative remains challenge in field. Here, we show how light-induced action switches modifies not only but also, simultaneously, stiffness soft materials. heterogeneous design these features inclusions free liquid crystal network....

Abstract Unravelling the rules of molecular motion is a contemporary challenge that promises to support development responsive materials and likely enhance understanding functional motion. Advances in integrating light‐driven motors soft matter have led design realization chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystals can respond light with modification their helical pitch, also helix inversion. Under illumination, these convert from one geometry another. Here, series feature rich...

The physico-chemical processes supporting life's purposeful movement remain essentially unknown. Self-propelling chiral droplets offer a minimalistic model of swimming cells and, in surfactant-rich water, nematic liquid crystals follow the threads screw. We demonstrate that geometry their trajectory is determined by both number turns in, and handedness of, spiral organization. Using molecular motors as photo-invertible dopants allows converting between right-handed left-handed trajectories...

Abstract Photonics and tunable optics are rapidly developing fields that require materials with programmable properties advanced functionalities. Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) unique exhibit selective light reflection can be tuned using stimuli‐responsive small organic molecules. The challenge lies in designing molecules convert external signals, such as light, into dynamic invertible chiral states, which transduced to the CLC supramolecular structures inducing large differences...

Developing shape-shifting materials requires combining the flexibility needed by properties, with toughness that is demanded to maintain their mechanical performance. Typically, in liquid crystal networks, amplitude of shape transformation can be hindered large cross-linking densities. Here, we argue a promising strategy address this limitation consists integrating networks into an anisotropic and porous material acts as orienting scaffold. This shows similarities principles...

Abstract Self-reproducing molecules abound in nature where they support growth and motion of living systems. In artificial settings, chemical reactions can also show complex kinetics reproduction, however integrating self-reproducing into larger systems remains a challenge towards achieving higher order functionality. Here, we that lipids initiate, sustain accelerate the movement octanol droplets water. Reciprocally, chemotactic increases rate lipid reproduction substantially. Reciprocal...

Abstract The preparation of photo‐actuators based on stretched porous polyethylene and an azobenzene‐containing liquid crystalline polymer network is reported for the first time. It revealed that this kind photo‐actuator possesses following advantages: lack a need using aligning coatings cells preparation, high deformation actuator its complete reversibility, good mechanical properties, relatively low cost fabrication. In addition some kinetic thermodynamic features bending unbending...

All‐optical fabrication of elastic volume diffraction gratings in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is presented. Novel material based on the commercially available PDMS with incorporated benzophenone (BPh) photoactive molecules developed. The are formed by a holographic technique and UV irradiation through an amplitude mask. New permits to obtain efficient periods ranging from hundreds nanometers dozens micrometers films different thicknesses. Besides symmetric transmission 1D gratings, slanted...

For the first time cholesteric mixture containing nematic polymer with small amount of chiral‐photochromic dopant is used for electroinduced diffraction gratings production. The are obtained by applying electric field to planar‐aligned layer causing its periodical distortion. Material developed permits manipulating supramolecular helical structure means UV exposure resulting in helix untwisting. Photo‐controlling pitch brings change parameters gratings. Due macromolecular “nature” material...

The past two decades witnessed tremendous progress in the field of creation different types responsive materials. Cholesteric polymer networks present a very promising class smart materials due to combination unique optical properties cholesteric mesophase and high mechanical networks. In work we demonstrate possibility fast reversible photocontrol Several photopolymerizable mixtures are prepared, porous network films with helix pitches produced by polymerization these mixtures. An effective...

The future of adaptive materials will rely on transduction molecular motion across increasing length scales, up to the macroscopic and functional level. In this context, liquid crystals have emerged as a promising amplification medium, in view their long-range order high sensitivity external stimuli, particular, chiral demonstrated widely tunable optical properties invertible handedness. Here, we demonstrate that by applying weak electric fields, regular, periodic light-tunable patterns can...

Abstract For the first time, films based on polymer‐stabilized cholesteric composites containing crown ether fragments with optical properties sensitive to complexation potassium and barium ions were obtained. The these leads blue spectral shift of selective light reflection planar texture composite films. Peculiarities changes kinetics studied. proposed approach can be used for creation effective sensor materials different or groups ions.

For the first time possibility to perform dual recording in cholesteric LC polymer films was demonstrated by means of helix pitch photo-tuning and holographic grating recording, as far these two photo-processes take place under exposure light with different wavelengths. this purpose mixture nematic azobenzene-containing copolymer doped chiral-photochromic dopant prepared photo-optical properties thin planarly-oriented were investigated. It found that over ∼1 min allows high diffraction...

A new type of self‐organized materials based on cholesteric networks filled with photoactive side‐chain copolymer is being developed. Supramolecular helical structure polymer network resulting in the selective reflection used as a photonic scaffold. Photochromic azobenzene‐containing nematic embedded scaffold and utilized media for optical pattering. 1D 2D transmission diffraction gratings are successfully recorded composite films by holographic technique. For first time possibility to...

Nano- and micro-actuating systems are promising for application in microfluidics, haptics, tunable optics, soft robotics. Surfaces capable to change their topography at the nano- microscale on demand would allow control over wettability, friction, surface-driven particle motility. Here, we show that light-responsive cholesteric liquid crystal (LC) networks undergo a waving motion of surface upon irradiation with light. These dynamic surfaces fabricated maskless one-step procedure, relying...