Self-sustaining chaotic characteristics of double pendulum based on self-shading effect

Lei Chen, Yunjun Xia, Zhongyi Tang, Jinlong Zhao and Kuan Zhou

Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 2026, vol. 208, issue P1

Abstract: The motion system based on active materials can autonomously absorb energy and achieve self-sustaining motion through the coupling effect between the internal structure and external environment. This paper presents a self-sustaining double pendulum(DP) system consisting of a liquid crystal elastic(LCE) fiber, a rigid fiber and two mass balls. The DP system achieves self-sustaining chaotic swing under stable illumination through self-shading effect, overcoming the limitation of traditional chaotic pendulums that rely on external periodic stimulation. By establishing nonlinear dynamic model and conducting numerical calculation, three motion modes of DP system are revealed, namely self-sustaining periodic vibration, self-sustaining periodic swing and self-sustaining chaotic swing. This system utilizes the property of liquid crystal elastic fiber that it contracts and do work in illumination environment to balance the energy loss caused by damping, thereby achieving self-sustaining motion. In addition, the influence of changes in key parameters of the system on the motion patterns are studied, and the three-dimensional(3-D) bifurcation diagrams of the LCE fiber and rigid fiber pendulums are respectively depicted, clearly showing the transformation rules of motion modes under different parameters. Unlike traditional chaotic double pendulum, this paper constructs soft-hard intelligent coupling model and triggers self-sustaining chaotic swing motion through self-shading effect. This research not only deepens understanding of self-sustaining motion, but also provides theoretical basis for innovative applications in fields such as intelligent actuators and soft robots.

Keywords: Liquid crystal elastomer; Self-sustaining motion; Chaotic pendulum; Self-shading effect; Soft-hard intelligent coupling model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:chsofr:v:208:y:2026:i:p1:s0960077926001724

DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2026.118031

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