Optomechanical conversion by mechanical turbines

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel turbine-based engine design that uses photo-active liquid crystal elastomers to convert light into mechanical work with an estimated efficiency of 40%.

Contribution

It introduces a conceptual mechanical engine utilizing liquid crystal elastomers for light-to-mechanical energy conversion, a new approach in optomechanical systems.

Findings

Estimated efficiency of 40% for the proposed engine.

Design demonstrates potential for converting light into mechanical work.

Utilizes liquid crystal elastomers' shape change properties.

Abstract

Liquid crystal elastomers are rubbers with liquid crystal order. They contract along their nematic director when heated or illuminated. The shape changes are large and occur in a relatively narrow temperature interval, or at low illumination, around the nematic-isotropic transition. We present a conceptual design of a mechanical, turbine-based engine using photo-active liquid crystal elastomers to extract mechanical work from light. Its efficiency is estimated to be 40%.