Multimodal Self-sustainable Autonomous Locomotions of Light-driven Seifert Ribbon Actuators based on Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Multimodal self-sustainable autonomous locomotions integrated into one individual system, are high-level intelligent behavioral characteristics of living organisms and are the scientific hotspot of bionic soft actuators. Here, we report a light-fueled soft actuator with multimodal self-sustainable movements based on a Seifert ribbon bounded by a Hopf link. The Seifert ribbon actuator can self-sense the illumination area adjustment, and the actuation component becomes either a discontinuous strip-like structure or a continuous toroidal structure, which can realize adaptive switches between self-sustained oscillatory and rotary motions. The two motion modes are applied to the self-oscillatory piezoelectric generation and self-rotational work multiplication of cargo transport, respectively. The unique smartness of Seifert surface topology advances the level of actuation intelligence with broad implications for the adaptability, multifunctionality, and autonomy of soft robots.

Automated summary

This paper reports a light-fueled soft actuator based on a Seifert ribbon, capable of multimodal self-sustainable movements. The Seifert ribbon actuator can self-sense the adjustment of illumination area, enabling adaptive switches between self-sustained oscillatory and rotary motions. These two motion modes are applied to piezoelectric generation and cargo transport. The smartness of Seifert surface topology advances actuation intelligence with broad implications for adaptability, multifunctionality, and autonomy of soft robots.