OBJECT MOVEMENT MECHANISM AND OBJECT MOVEMENT METHOD USING INTERACTION BETWEEN LIQUID-LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASE TRANSITION AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DEFECT

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an object movement mechanism and object movement method capable of moving an object with thermal energy by utilizing liquid-liquid crystal phase transition.;SOLUTION: This object movement mechanism includes: a substance M capable of assuming a liquid state L and a liquid-crystal state LC; a temperature gradient forming means forming a temperature gradient containing a phase transition temperature Tc in the substance M; and a movement member MP arranged in a state in contact with the substance M and capable of moving in the state in contact with the substance M. The temperature gradient forming means includes a phase transition region adjustment function for moving a phase transition region IF of the phase transition temperature Tc in the substance M. The movement member MP is arranged such that the movement direction thereof is not parallel to the direction in which the phase transition region IF is moved by the temperature gradient forming means, and the surface of the movement member MP in contact with the substance M is treated so as to disturb the liquid crystal.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT