Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42086595›Full record

ArticleNature communications2026

Cellulose-based liquid crystal elastomer with tunable mechanochromic Response.

Lukuan Guo, Jing Sun, Zhangmin Wan, Xinxin Yan, Xuemei Ge, Guang Chu, Lijie Li, Pan Chen, Orlando J Rojas, Junlong Song and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Lukuan Guo *Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China.
Jing Sun *Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China.
Zhangmin WanBioproduct Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Xinxin YanJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China.
Xuemei GeJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China.
Guang ChuSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China. chuguang88@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1538-5276
Lijie LiSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, PR China.
Pan ChenSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, PR China.
Orlando J RojasBioproduct Institute, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4036-4020
Junlong SongJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5271-8140
Yongcan JinJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0748-3629
Jiaqi GuoJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources and Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, PR China. jiaqi.guo@njfu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7557-0356

Funding

Canada Excellence Research Chairs, Government of Canada (Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program) CERC-2018-00006National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 22572028National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China) 32371811
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The development of sustainable, high-performance elastomers with multifunctional capabilities is pivotal for the next-generation of eco-friendly technologies. Here, we overcome the intrinsic rigidity of cellulose, by orchestrating its molecular chains into dynamic, chiral-nematic ordered liquid crystal elastomers using hydroxypropyl cellulose. Precise control over elasticity and optical properties was achieved via a salt-induced Hofmeister effect, which modulates the interchain hydrogen-bond network. This network acts as a reversible softness regulator, while the embedded right-handed helical structures produce vivid, stimuli-responsive structural colors. Crucially, mechanical strain unwinds the helix in liquid crystal elastomer, resulting in a real-time, naked-eye mechanochromic response that directly visualizes the local stress. This dynamic color change enables real-time monitoring of mechanical stress for practical applications in rehabilitation training. Moreover, owing to the biocompatibility and biodegradability nature of cellulose, the obtained elastomer can be completely degraded within 30 days in soil. This work provides a scalable design route for sustainable elastomers that simultaneously offer high performance, multifunctionality, and embodied intelligence, paving the way for a distinct class of smart eco-friendly materials.

Identifiers

PMID42086595
PMCPMC13351036

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.