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Temperature gradient sensing mechanism using liquid crystal droplets with 0.1-mK-level detection accuracy and high spatial resolution
- Source :
- Scientific Reports, Vol 12, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2022)
- Publication Year :
- 2022
- Publisher :
- Nature Portfolio, 2022.
-
Abstract
- Abstract We proposed the detection mechanism of the micro-levels of temperature gradient in a micro-electromechanical system using the unidirectional rotation of cholesteric-liquid crystal (Ch-LC) droplets. Ch-LC droplets in the presence of an isotropic phase subjected to a heat flux rotate with a speed proportional to the magnitude of the temperature gradient. We further quantified the temperature gradient-to-torque conversion efficiency to apply the thermomechanical cross-correlation to the detection of temperature gradient. Then, we observed the rotational behavior of Ch-LC droplets after introducing them onto model devices containing patterned Au thin-film electrodes. Direct electric current applied to these Au electrodes results in unidirectional rotation of the Ch-LC droplets in response to heat flux generated from the Au electrodes. By evaluating the possible temperature gradient detection resolution using Ch-LC droplet rotation, we show that Ch-LC droplets can achieve both high spatial resolution (~ 10 µm) and high detection accuracy (~ 0.1 mK/µm).
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20452322
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Scientific Reports
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.55ed7fac989446fba4d78114bfdd2639
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18008-y