Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), in collaboration with multiple universities, has published innovative results in Advanced Materials, developing a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) material with programmable properties. This 3D-printed lattice structure efficiently absorbs impact energy and changes shape when heated, offering new options for smart protective gear and deformable robotic systems.

The research team precisely controls the alignment of LCE molecules through a customized 3D printing process. LLNL engineer Rodrigo Telles stated: "We have achieved comprehensive control from the molecular scale to the macroscopic structure, enabling the material to respond to environmental changes." Test data show that the material's energy absorption capacity under high-speed impacts is 18 times higher than traditional silicone materials, with excellent shape recovery performance.

LLNL research group leader Elaine Lee noted: "The rapid reorientation of liquid crystal molecules under pressure allows the material to uniformly dissipate impact energy." The team's developed computer model successfully predicts the material's deformation behavior under different conditions. Currently, researchers are exploring the technology's potential applications in bulletproof equipment and biomedical devices.