A flexible arched artificial photoreceptor constructed by photodeformable liquid crystal polymers and its application in vision restoration

Abstract

Artificial photoreceptors capable of eliciting neural responses offer a promising strategy for restoring vision in individuals with retinal degenerative diseases. However, stimulating neurons under low-intensity light remains a critical challenge, which significantly hampers their practical application. Here, a flexible arched artificial photoreceptor with strong photoelectric response under weak light is constructed by photodeformable liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) and polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)). The light-stress-electricity conversion arising from photo-induced stress of LCPs and the piezoelectric effect of P(VDF-TrFE) is significantly enhanced by the arched structure, which induces stress concentration. Hence, the open-circuit voltage reaches up to 17.51 ± 0.60 V under 8 mW cm⁻² light irradiation, which is 21 times higher than that of the planar structure (0.79 V), with a 10-fold reduction in light intensity. By analyzing the voltage of units, the pixelated matrix of artificial photoreceptors is capable of imitating complex visual functions including light detection, pattern recognition and information decoding. Notably, the flexibility and biocompatibility endow this artificial photoreceptor with great potential in artificial retinal applications. Blind rats implanted with this artificial photoreceptor are demonstrated to exhibit restored visual responses. This study presents a novel approach to fabricating artificial photoreceptors which are sensitive to weak light and provides new insights for the applications of LCPs in implantable devices.

Keywords

artificial photoreceptors / liquid crystal polymers / piezoelectric materials / vision restoration

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2026 The Author(s). Smart Molecules published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Dalian University of Technology.