Light-driven continuous rotating Möbius strip actuators

Zhen-Zhou Nie, Bo Zuo, Meng Wang, Shuai Huang, Xu-Man Chen, Zhi-Yang Liu and Hong Yang ()
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Zhen-Zhou Nie: Southeast University
Bo Zuo: Southeast University
Meng Wang: Southeast University
Shuai Huang: Southeast University
Xu-Man Chen: Southeast University
Zhi-Yang Liu: Southeast University
Hong Yang: Southeast University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Twisted toroidal ribbons such as the one-sided Möbius strip have inspired scientists, engineers and artists for many centuries. A physical Möbius strip exhibits interesting mechanical properties deriving from a tendency to redistribute the torsional strain away from the twist region. This leads to the interesting possibility of building topological actuators with continuous deformations. Here we report on a series of corresponding bi-layered stripe actuators using a photothermally responsive liquid crystal elastomer as the fundamental polymeric material. Employing a special procedure, even Möbius strips with an odd number of twists can be fabricated exhibiting a seamless homeotropic and homogeneous morphology. Imposing a suitable contraction gradient under near-infrared light irradiation, these ribbons can realize continuous anticlockwise/clockwise in-situ rotation. Our work could pave the way for developing actuators and shape morphing materials that need not rely on switching between distinct states.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22644-9

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