- Access by Xinjiang University
Optomechanical Conversion by Mechanical Turbines
Phys. Rev. Applied 2, 044017 – Published 30 October, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.2.044017
Abstract
Liquid-crystal elastomers are rubbers with liquid-crystal order. They contract along their nematic director when heated or illuminated. The shape changes are large and occur in a relatively narrow temperature interval or at low illumination around the nematic-isotropic transition. We present a conceptual design of a mechanical, turbine-based engine using photoactive liquid-crystal elastomers to extract mechanical work from light. Its efficiency is estimated to be 40%.
Article Text
References (16)
- M. Yamada, M. Kondo, J. Mamiya, Y. Yu, M. Kinoshita, C. J. Barrett, and T. Ikeda, Photomobile polymer materials: Towards light-driven plastic motors, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 47, 4986 (2008).
- Y. Geng, P. L. Almeida, S. N. Fernandes, C. Cheng, P. Palffy-Muhoray, and M. H. Godinho, A cellulose liquid crystal motor: A steam engine of the second kind, Sci. Rep. 3, 1028 (2013).
- M. Knežević and M. Warner, Optomechanical elastomeric engine, Phys. Rev. E 88, 040501(R) (2013).
- I. Z. Steinberg, A. Oplatka, and A. Katchalsky, Mechanochemical engines, Nature (London) 210, 568 (1966).
- M. V. Sussman and A. Katchalsky, Mechanochemical turbine: A new power cycle, Science 167, 45 (1970).
- P. G. de Gennes, Physique moleculaire—reflexions sur un type de polymeres nematiques, C.R. Seances Acad. Sci., Ser. B 281, 101 (1975).
- M. Warner and E. M. Terentjev, Liquid Crystal Elastomers (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2007).
- H. Finkelmann, E. Nishikawa, G. G. Pereira, and M. Warner, A new opto-mechanical effect in solids, Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 015501 (2001).
- P. M. Hogan, A. R. Tajbakhsh, and E. M. Terentjev, UV manipulation of order and macroscopic shape in nematic elastomers, Phys. Rev. E 65, 041720 (2002).
- M. Knežević, M. Warner, M. Čopič, and A. Sánchez-Ferrer, Photodynamics of stress in clamped nematic elastomers, Phys. Rev. E 87, 062503 (2013).
- A. R. Tajbakhsh and E. M. Terentjev, Spontaneous thermal expansion of nematic elastomers, Eur. Phys. J. E 6, 181 (2001).
- H. Finkelmann, A. Greve, and M. Warner, The elastic anisotropy of nematic elastomers, Eur. Phys. J. E 5, 281 (2001).
- M. L. Euler, Remarques sur l’effect du frottement dans l’equilibre, Mem. Acad. Sci. Berlin 18, 265 (1769).
- L. R. G. Treloar, The Physics of Rubber Elasticity (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005).
- M. Knežević and M. Warner, Photoferroelectric solar to electrical conversion, Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 043902 (2013).
- M. S. Bechtel, S. Vohra, K. I. Jacob, and C. D. Carlson, The stretching and slipping of belts and fibers on pulleys, J. Appl. Mech. 67, 197 (2000).