Abstract: A product includes a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of sequentially-formed layers comprised of liquid crystal elastomers. The liquid crystal elastomers in at least a predefined portion of a first of the layers are substantially aligned in a first orientation, and the liquid crystal elastomers in at least a predefined portion of a second of the layers are substantially aligned in a second orientation. In addition, each of the portions of the three-dimensional structure is characterized as exhibiting a shape change in response to a stimulus, where the shape change is reversible.

Abstract: A product includes a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of sequentially-formed layers comprised of liquid crystal elastomers. The liquid crystal elastomers in a portion of a first of the layers are substantially aligned in a predefined first orientation and the liquid crystal elastomers in a portion of a second of the layers are substantially aligned in a predefined second orientation that is different than the first orientation. Each of the portions of the three-dimensional structure is characterized as exhibiting a shape change in response to a stimulus, wherein the shape change is reversible. The product includes a contiguous region of aligned liquid crystal elastomers in one of the portions having a maximum dimension of less than 60 microns.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional structure of liquid crystal (LC) elastomers includes contacting a resin layer of LC oligomers with a layer of photoalignment material, and exposing a portion of photoalignment material to light for aligning the portion of photoalignment material in a first orientation. The LC oligomers adjacent the illuminated portion of photoalignment material align to the first orientation of the illuminated portion. The portion of aligned LC oligomers of the resin layer are cured. Operations for forming additional layers include creating a relative movement of the resin layer away from the photoalignment material, contacting another resin layer with the photoalignment material, and exposing another portion of photoalignment material to light for aligning the photoalignment material in a different orientation.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional structure includes forming a layer of resin comprising liquid crystal oligomers and a photoinitiator, applying a magnetic field to the formed layer in a predefined alignment direction for substantially aligning the liquid crystal oligomers in a first orientation; and exposing the formed layer to radiation for curing a first portion of the layer during application of the magnetic field thereby resulting in the first portion having liquid crystal elastomers substantially aligned in the first orientation. The method includes applying a second magnetic field to the formed layer in a predefined second alignment direction for substantially aligning uncured liquid crystal oligomers in a second orientation, and exposing the layer to radiation for curing a second portion of the layer during application of the second magnetic field thereby resulting in the second portion having liquid crystal elastomers substantially aligned in the second orientation.