OBJECT MOVEMENT MECHANISM AND OBJECT MOVEMENT MECHANISM USING INTERACTION BETWEEN LIQUID-LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASE TRANSITION AND DISTURBANCE OF ORIENTATION FIELD

摘要

Disclosed are an object movement mechanism and object movement method capable of moving an object with thermal energy by utilizing liquid-liquid crystal phase transition. The disclosed mechanism is provided with a substance (M) capable of assuming a liquid state (L) and a liquid-crystal state (LC), a temperature gradient forming means which forms a temperature gradient containing a phase transition temperature (Tc) in substance (M), and a movement member (MP) arranged in a state in contact with the substance (M) and capable of moving in a state in contact with the substance (M). The temperature gradient forming means has a phase transition region adjustment function for moving the phase transition region (IF) of the phase transition temperature (Tc) in the substance (M), and 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) moves by means of 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.