Physics

Fabrication

Pathology

Structural coloration

Nanotechnology

Laser

Resist

Photonic crystal

Optics

Photoresist

Maskless lithography

Composite material

Electron-beam lithography

Lithography

Materials science

Alternative medicine

Photonics

Layer (electronics)

Optoelectronics

3D printing

Medicine

Microstructure

ACS Nano

With the advent of direct laser writing using two-photon polymerization, the generation of high-resolution three-dimensional microstructures has increased dramatically. However, the development of stimuli-responsive photoresists to create four-dimensional (4D) microstructures remains a challenge. Herein, we present a supramolecular cholesteric liquid crystalline photonic photoresist for the fabrication of 4D photonic microactuators, such as pillars, flowers, and butterflies, with submicron resolution. These micron-sized features display structural color and shape changes triggered by a variation of humidity or temperature. These findings serve as a roadmap for the design and creation of high-resolution 4D photonic microactuators.

Direct Laser Writing of Four-Dimensional Structural Color Microactuators Using a Photonic Photoresist