A1. First systematic study of gas sensing with LC-functionalized fibers (Liq. Cryst., SPIE proceedings).
A2. Fibers with dual LC cores, with different properties, were successfully spun (J. Mater. Chem. C), as were fibers with LCE core (Materials).
A3. We discovered a complex phase diagram with phase separation by spinodal decomposition or nucleation and growth between a commonly used LC and ethanol, strongly impacted by small fractions of water (Soft Matter, feature on cover page).
A4. We showed that this phase separation can take place in the Taylor cone during electrospinning, leading to catastrophic spinning failure (ACS Appl. Mater. Interf.). We also showed that the stability of the Taylor cone, and thus of the fiber spinning process, is highly sensitive to atmospheric humidity.
A5. We developed a new microfluidic wet spinning approach to make rubber sheath fibers with LC core. The responsive fibers can be stretched several 100% (J. Mater. Chem. C).
A6. We crosslinked the sheath polymers after electrospinning to make fibers resistive to water immersion. A continuous LC core can be achieved by ensuring partial miscibility of the core and sheath fluids (publication in preparation).
A7. We developed a new chemistry for making cholesteric LCEs that show strain-dependent color, demonstrating quantitative correlation in a soft strain sensor (Adv. Funct. Mater.).
B1. Three new LCE chemistries were developed and adapted for microfluidic shell production.
B2. We realized the first ever negative order parameter LC, in the form of LCE shells (Sci. Adv.). Fragments cut from the shells act as autonomous microswimmers.
B3. Using LCE oligomers, we made positive order parameter shells that buckle upon actuation (Adv. Funct. Mater.).
B4. Photopolymerization in shells of nematic and smectic type was systematically studied, revealing dramatic lifetime prolongation and new opportunities for programming specific polymer network structures (Adv. Mater.).
B5. We significantly improved the understanding of the impact of stabilizer molecules (surfactants and polymers) on the alignment and stability of LC and LCE shells (Soft Matter, cover page; Liq. Cryst.; Langmuir; Phys. Rev, Res.).
C1. We developed protocols for reproducibly fabricating cholesteric shells with excellent photonic crystal properties, even after polymerization.
C2. We demonstrated photonic cross communication between shells with different photonic bandgaps (Sci. Rep.), and analyzed 3-shell communication (Liq. Cryst., invited), revealing a much richer information content than previously realized, with great value for applications in secure authentication.
C3. We discovered and elucidated a new type of cholesteric shell reflection pattern, resulting from internal Bragg reflection (Adv. Opt. Mater., feature on cover).
C4. We realized air-stable composites, with good optical properties, functioning as secure authentication tags and/or as selective retroreflectors (Adv. Mater., invited).
C5. We developed a method for polymerizing LC shells that allows refractive index matching in- and outside and removing all stabilizers, minimizing scattering (patent pending, publication in preparation).
