Direct Laser Writing of Four-Dimensional Structural Color Microactuators Using a Photonic Photoresist
Marc del Pozo, Colm Delaney, Cees W. M. Bastiaansen, Dermot Diamond, Albertus P. H. J. Schenning, Larisa Florea
Abstract
With the advent of direct laser writing using two-photon polymerization, the generation of high-resolution three-dimensional microstructures has increased dramatically. However, the development of stimuli-responsive photoresists to create four-dimensional (4D) microstructures remains a challenge. Herein, we present a supramolecular cholesteric liquid crystalline photonic photoresist for the fabrication of 4D photonic microactuators, such as pillars, flowers, and butterflies, with submicron resolution. These micron-sized features display structural color and shape changes triggered by a variation of humidity or temperature. These findings serve as a roadmap for the design and creation of high-resolution 4D photonic microactuators.