Flexible and elastic thermal regulator for multimode intelligent temperature control

• DOI: 10.1002/sus2.171
• Publication Date: 2023-11-27T23:49:41Z
• Authors: Can Chen; Huitao Yu; Tao Lai; Jun Guo; Mengmeng Qin; Zhiguo Qu; Yiyu Feng; Wei Feng
• Keywords: Thermal Stability; Temperature cycling

Abstract As nonlinear thermal devices, regulators can intelligently respond to temperature and control heat flow through changes in transfer capacities, which allows them reduce energy consumption without external intervention. However, current generally based on high‐quality crystalline‐structure transitions are intrinsically rigid, may cause structural damage functional failure under mechanical strain; moreover, they difficult integrate into emerging soft electronic platforms. In this study, we develop a flexible, elastic regulator the reversible thermally induced deformation of liquid crystal elastomer/liquid metal (LCE/LM) composite foam. By adjusting crosslinking densities, LCE foam exhibits high actuation strain 121% with flexibility below nematic–isotropic phase transition ( T NI ) hyperelasticity above . The incorporation LM results resistance switching ratio 3.8 over wide working window 60°C good cycling stability. This feature originates from synergistic effect fragmentation recombination internal network lengthening shortening bond line thickness. Furthermore, fabricate “grid window” utilizing photic‐thermal integrated control, achieving superior supply 13.7°C at light intensity 180 mW/cm 2 protection 43.4°C 1200 proposed method meets softness requirements materials multimode intelligent control.