This paper reports on the creation of light-driven continuous rotating Möbius strip actuators using a photothermally responsive liquid crystal elastomer. The actuators, fabricated with a special procedure allowing for odd numbers of twists, exhibit continuous rotation under near-infrared light irradiation due to a created contraction gradient. This work offers a potential pathway for developing actuators and shape-morphing materials that do not rely on switching between distinct states.

Zhen-Zhou Nie, Bo Zuo, Meng Wang, Shuai Huang, Xu-Man Chen, Zhi-Yang Liu, Hong Yang