A nanopatterned hybrid layer is designed, wherein the electric polarization can be flipped at room temperature by a magnetic field aided by an electrical field. This is achieved by embedding ferromagnetic nanopillars in a continuous organic ferroelectric layer, and amplifying the magnetostriction-generated stress gradients by scaling down the supracrystalline cell of the material.
The behavior of water/oil/water double emulsion droplets with a cholesteric liquid crystalline middle phase (photonic microcapsules, PMCs) with magnetic nanoparticles (m-PMCs) in a uniform magnetic field is demonstrated. The needle-like aggregate of magnetic nanoparticles forms along the disclination line by the elastic interaction between particles and liquid crystalline director field. The m-PMC reorients in a uniform magnetic field.
Highly sensitive, transparent, and durable pressure sensors are fabricated using sea-urchin-shaped metal nanoparticles and insulating polyurethane elastomer. The pressure sensors exhibit outstanding sensitivity (2.46 kPa−1), superior optical transmittance (84.8% at 550 nm), fast response/relaxation time (30 ms), and excellent operational durability. In addition, the pressure sensors successfully detect minute movements of human muscles.