Tailoring Multistimuli Responsive Micropatterns Activated by Various Mechanical Modes

Abstract

Abstract A versatile wrinkle‐based micropatterned system with a film‐substrate structure is proposed, which contains a hydrophilic film of polyvinyl alcohol or its composite with laponite and a hydrophobic substrate of polydimethylsiloxane or its composite with carbon black. The wrinkled system features high design flexibility and multistimuli responsiveness, which can be activated by various mechanical methods, including vertical press or scratch, gentle stretch‐and‐release, bend, or analogous magneto‐mechanical and electro‐mechanical modes. The resultant wrinkles possess 1) instantaneous and reversible strain/moisture/light responsive optical modulation; 2) tunable dynamics for the aforementioned strain/moisture/light response;3) tailorable amplitude/wavelength; 4) unique surface morphologies from the coupling of wrinkles and cracks; 5) excellent reversibility and durability. A variety of applications are demonstrated based on this system, including 1) a moisture erasable highly sensitive pressure responsive device and pattern replicator with a high fidelity; 2) a moisture erasable scratch/magneto‐mechanical re‐writable tablet; 3) an electro‐mechanical controllable smart window with an ultra‐sensitive strain responsive transmittance modulation and a low operating voltage; 4) various types of strain responsive, moisture erasable, and laser writable information recording/encryption devices. This work provides new routes for designing innovative wrinkled systems triggered by diverse mechanical fashions and can decode multiple environmental stimuli into optical signals for widespread application.