Recent advances in patterned bio-inspired cholesteric liquid crystals: fabrication, stimuli-responsive mechanisms, and smart optical applications

Bio-inspired cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) patterns have sparked strong interest in their artificial biomimetic preparation due to the unique functions of helicoidal architectures in nature, such as camouflage protection in chameleons and structural color modulation in cephalopods. In recent years, patterned CLC materials have become a research hotspot in the fields of flexible smart devices, information storage, anti-counterfeiting technology, and smart windows, owing to their controllable optical properties and their ability to respond to various external stimuli. This article systematically reviews the preparation methods of patterned CLCs, including templating techniques and direct writing approaches, as well as the underlying regulatory mechanisms under external stimuli such as light, electric fields, temperature, mechanical force, solvents, humidity, and pH. Their practical applications in information encryption and decryption, optical anti-counterfeiting, and dynamic windows are also discussed. Finally, this article looks forward to the broad prospects of patterned CLCs in the development of intelligent functional materials and highlights the remaining challenges in terms of stability, response rate, and large-scale preparation, thereby laying a solid foundation for future research and technological translation in this field.