On this episode, Professor Shu Yang and Alicia Ng of the University of Pennsylvania join me on the podcast to discuss their latest research work. Their team has successfully developed a cutting-edge method to 3D print cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), opening the door to dynamic, color-changing materials that can respond to mechanical stress.

This work paves the way for groundbreaking applications in smart sensing, displays, and robotics. At the heart of this advancement are CLCEs – soft, rubbery materials capable of changing color when subjected to mechanical stress.

Shu Yang is a materials scientist and Professor of Engineering and Applied Science and Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.  Alicia Ng is a Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and is the lead author of this study.

You can learn more by visiting https://shuyang.seas.upenn.edu.