Fig. 1. Functional surfaces in nature. （a） Gecko‍’‍s pad with dry adhesion function and its microstructure^［5］； （b） Nepenthes with lubricating fluid； （c） Cells are arranged in a certain pattern under the guidance of external matrix^［6］.

Fig. 2. （a） Anisotropic deformation of a monodomain liquid crystal polymer after the order parameter is reduced under external stimulation^［10］‍； （b） Deformation of a vertically aligned liquid crystal polymer coating in a patterned electric field^［11］‍； （c） Density reduction of a liquid crystal polymer film due to free volume voids caused by light irradiation. In contrast， the photothermal effect did not lead to a significant decrease in polymer density^［12］‍； （d） Morphological changes on the surface of a liquid crystal polymer coating with alternating cholesteric-vertical orientation^［13］.

Fig. 3. （a） Surface topographies of +1 and ±（1/2） topological defects in LCP after heating^［16］； （b） Topographical changes of fingerprint-textured LCP coating in an electric field^［10］； （c） Topographical changes and oscillations of LCP coating under the stimulation of polarized light field with polarization direction rotated^［17］.

Fig. 4. （a） Optical and electrical dual stimulus responsive coating is used to control the surface friction coefficient， showing the characteristics of sequential logic control^［19］； （b） Topographical deformation of the liquid crystal polymer coating between two electrode plates^［20］.

Fig. 5. （a） Chemical structure of LCON with large deformation amplitude^［21］； （b） LCP coating with surface inversion and underwater adhesion switching^［24］.

Fig. 6. （a） Schematic diagram of the LCP “sponge” mechanism for light-controlled secretion of 8CB^［25］； （b） Schematic diagram of the LCP “sponge” mechanism for electrical secretion of 8CB^［26］； （c） Lubrication properties of the 8CB-infiltrated lubricating surface based on LCP can be adjusted by regulating the phase transition temperature of the lubricant 8CB/azobenzene complex^［27］.

Fig. 7. （a） Phase transition of liquid crystal lubricant causes state change of droplets on lubricating LCP surface^［27］； （b） Phase transition of liquid crystal lubricant causes state change of bubbles on lubricating LCP surface and its mechanical analysis^［31］； （c） Nano- and micro-scale materials dispersed in lubricated LCP coating can be selectively released continuously/pulsed to droplets on the coating surface^［32］.

Fig. 8. （a） Cell growth controlled by topological structure of LCP coating ^［6］； （b） Directed cell growth controlled by nanogrooves of smectic self-assembly ^［33］； （c） Directed cell growth controlled by morphology formed after washing out non-reactive liquid crystal ^［34］.