Liquid crystal-based polarization-dependent, electrically tunable beam deflectors formed via single-step photopolymerization-induced phase separation.

Compared to mechanical ones, liquid crystal (LC) beam deflectors present several advantages, such as non-mechanical control, compactness, and low power consumption, making them a viable alternative. In this work, we demonstrate an LC-based polarization-dependent, electrically tunable beam deflector, which is a composite blazed grating fabricated using a single-step photopolymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS) technique. We investigated the effect of different factors on the performance of the deflector, including the thickness of the upper substrate, the grating period, and the cell gap.

Responsive Liquid Crystal Network Microstructures with Customized Shapes and Predetermined Morphing for Adaptive Soft Micro-Optics.

Stimuli-responsive materials have garnered substantial interest in recent years, particularly liquid crystal networks (LCNs) with sophisticatedly designed structures and morphing capabilities. Extensive efforts have been devoted to LCN structural designs spanning from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) configurations and their intricate morphing behaviors through designed alignment. However, achieving microscale structures and large-area preparation necessitates the development of novel techniques capable of facilely fabricating LCN microstructures with precise control over both overall shape and alignment, enabling a 3D-to-3D shape change.

A colorimetric sensor based on Glutathione-AgNPs as peroxidase mimetics for the sensitive detection of Thiamine (Vitamin B1).

A label-free sensing strategy based on the enzyme-mimicking property of Glutathione-Ag nanoparticles (GSH-AgNPs) was demonstrated for colorimetric detection of vitamin B1 (VB1). Firstly, obvious blue color accompanied with an absorption peak at 652 nm was observed due to the high peroxidase-like activity of GSH-AgNPs towards 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Then, in the presence of VB1, the mimetic activity of GSH-AgNPs could be strongly restrained, evidenced as a promiment colorimetric change to colorless, which can be used to achieve the visualization detection VB1.