Abstract

Abstract: Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are a versatile class of functional materials exhibiting exceptional properties, including large-stroke reversible actuation, anomalous mechanical and vibration energy damping, and reversible pressure-sensitive adhesion. A defining feature of LCEs is their soft elasticity, characterized by a plateau of low, nearly constant stress during stretching, slow stress relaxation, and enhanced surface adhesion. This presentation explores the potential of LCEs in actuator applications and highlights their intrinsic energy dissipation mechanisms, particularly in reversible adhesion

Biography: Dr. Saed is a University Royal Society Fellow and a group leader at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, specializing in smart, sustainable, and stimuli-responsive polymers. His research spans new material design, additive manufacturing, vitrimers, adhesives, and liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs). Over a decade-long academic career, Dr. Saed has made pioneering contributions to polymer science. During his PhD at the University of Colorado, he played a crucial role in overcoming synthesis challenges in LCEs, introducing click chemistry for scalable production. His dissertation led to seven publications and a US patent, revolutionizing the field. As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas, he expanded into 3D printing and microfabrication, developing a 4D printing technique for LCEs, now widely adopted. This work resulted in three papers and another US patent. At Cambridge, Dr. Saed has published over 35 original papers, filed four patents, and secured over £2 million in research funding. He co-founded Cambridge Smart Plastics Ltd, serving as Chief Technical Officer, to commercialize vitrimer technologies developed during his tenure. As of June 2025, he has 45 original papers, 6 patents (3 granted, 3 filed), 3,500 citations, and an H-index of 27. His research is featured in leading journals such as Chemical Reviews, Nature Communications, and Advanced Materials.