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arXiv · 1406.5217

Optomechanical conversion by mechanical turbines

Milos Knezevic·Mark Warner
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Abstract

Liquid crystal elastomers are rubbers with liquid crystal order. They contract along their nematic director when heated or illuminated. The shape changes are large and occur in a relatively narrow temperature interval, or at low illumination, around the nematic-isotropic transition. We present a conceptual design of a mechanical, turbine-based engine using photo-active liquid crystal elastomers to extract mechanical work from light. Its efficiency is estimated to be 40%.

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Milos Knezevic, Mark Warner. 2014-11-02. Optomechanical conversion by mechanical turbines. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevapplied.2.044017

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