Abstract: Provided is a novel liquid crystalline elastomer that can reversibly undergo phase transition between a liquid crystalline phase and an isotropic phase thereof in a relatively low temperature region. A liquid crystalline elastomer precursor comprising a mesogenic group to which an oxide compound is attached, wherein the liquid crystalline elastomer precursor has a molecular moiety excluding the mesogenic group, the molecular moiety having at least one ester bond and at least two active hydrogen groups. A liquid crystalline elastomer comprising the liquid crystalline elastomer precursor cross-linked by a trifunctional or higher-functional isocyanate compound and/or polyol compound, wherein the liquid crystalline elastomer has a molecular moiety excluding the mesogenic group, the molecular moiety having at least one ester bond, and the liquid crystalline elastomer reversibly changes a state thereof between a liquid crystalline phase and isotropic phase thereof in response to a change in temperature thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a thermoresponsive material containing bubbles and has improved durability. A thermoresponsive material 1 whose state changes, depending on a change in temperature, comprises a matrix 2 in which bubbles 4 having an average diameter of 30 to 400 ?m are dispersed. Satisfied is D/a?0.7, where D represents the standard deviation of diameters of the bubbles 4, and a represents the average diameter of the bubbles 4. Satisfied is 0.3?V1/V2?0.9, where V1 represents the volume of the bubbles 4 at room temperature, and V2 represents the apparent volume of the matrix 2 at room temperature. The matrix 2 contains a liquid crystalline polyurethane.

Abstract: The present invention focuses on a change in elastic modulus or rupture stress of a liquid crystalline polymer that occurs when the liquid crystalline polymer undergoes phase transition from a liquid crystalline phase to an isotropic phase. The thermoresponsive material comprises a liquid crystalline polymer that reversibly transitions between a liquid crystalline phase and an isotropic phase, in response to a change in temperature, the liquid crystalline polymer serving as a matrix. Satisfied is E1/E2?1000, where E1 represents the elastic modulus of the matrix when the matrix includes the liquid crystalline phase, and E2 represents the elastic modulus of the matrix when the matrix includes the isotropic phase. Satisfied is ?1/?2?40, where ?1 represents the rupture stress of the matrix when the matrix includes the liquid crystalline phase, and ?2 represents the rupture stress of the matrix when the matrix includes the isotropic phase.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a single fibre including a thermally responsive liquid-crystal elastomer which reversibly expands and contracts in response to heat; a filament yarn including said single fibre; and a fibre product using the single fibre or the filament yarn. This single fibre includes a thermally responsive liquid-crystal elastomer which reversibly expands and contracts using, as a boundary, a transition temperature (Ti) at which phase transition from a liquid-crystal phase to an isotropic phase or from the isotropic phase to the liquid-crystal phase occurs.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a thermally responsive liquid-crystal polyurethane elastomer which is capable of being industrially continuously molded, and which is liquid crystal and has rubber elasticity at low temperatures (in the vicinity of room temperature); and a production method and a starting material therefor. This liquid-crystal urethane compound is obtained by reacting a mesogenic group-containing compound having at least active hydrogen groups, an alkylene oxide and/or a styrene oxide, and a diisocyanate compound.

Abstract: A cylindrical elastic member for connecting an inner cylindrical section attached to an operating axis as an axial center to an outer cylindrical section arranged outside the inner cylindrical section concentrically therewith, so as to be apart from the inner cylindrical section and surround the section, the member comprising a non-foamed elastic body and a foamed elastic body, about which in a contacting-surface of the member with the inner cylindrical section, at least a contacting-surface area with an outer circumferential end-region of the inner cylindrical section comprises the non-foamed elastic body, and in a contacting-surface of the member with the outer cylindrical section, at least contacting-surface areas with both operating-axis-direction inside surfaces of the outer cylindrical section each comprise the foamed elastic body.