Optomechanical conversion by mechanical turbines
arXiv:1406.5217 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevApplied.2.044017
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%.
7 pages, 3 figures