Magnetoactive liquid crystal elastomer nanocomposites

We present liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) nanocomposites containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles that perform local heat dissipation upon irradiation with electromagnetic fields. A fast local temperature rise is observed that leads to a distinct contraction at the nematic-isotropic transition temperature of the elastomer. The materials exhibit contractions up to 27% of the original length with short response times. We found the heat production rate and the heat transfer coefficient the parameters that determine the maximum contraction rate.