In this perspective, we discuss select issues investigated in recent studies on liquid crystal
elastomers (LCEs) and gels− soft solids having a mobile director. A considerable amount of�…

We establish that, for ideal unconstrained uniaxial nematic elastomers described by a
homogeneous isotropic strain-energy density function, the only smooth deformations that�…

A modelling framework is adopted and adapted here to model the rate-dependent
deformation behaviour of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). On using an isotropic�…

Stability is an important and fruitful avenue of research for liquid crystal elastomers. At
constant temperature, upon stretching, the homogeneous state of a nematic body becomes�…

The mechanical properties of an all-acrylate liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) with a glass
transition of 14�1� C are reported. The highly nonlinear load curve has a characteristic�…

When a liquid crystal elastomer layer is bonded to an elastic layer, it creates a bilayer with
interesting properties that can be activated by applying traction at the boundaries or by�…

Stochastic elasticity is a fast developing field that combines nonlinear elasticity and
stochastic theories in order to significantly improve model predictions by accounting for�…

For monodomain nematic elastomers, we construct generalised elastic–nematic constitutive
models combining purely elastic and neoclassical-type strain energy densities. Inspired by�…

Following the experimental lead, we construct a general mathematical model which,
depending on whether the uniaxial scalar order parameter is constant or not, can predict�…

Liquid crystal elastomers with mobile liquid crystal moieties display unique mechanical
instabilities and domain patterns in the strain-induced director reorientation. Based on a�…