Light-steerable locomotion using zero-elastic-energy modes

This paper reports a light-fuelled soft liquid crystal elastomer torus exhibiting self-sustained out-of-equilibrium movement. Spontaneous rotation, stemming from zero-elastic-energy modes (ZEEMs), occurs under constant light excitation. The locomotion direction is optically controlled in various environments (dry and fluid) by manipulating dynamic friction or drag. The torus demonstrates lateral and vertical swimming in the Stokes regime, with three-dimensional steerability. The research highlights the potential of prestrained topological structures for out-of-equilibrium soft matter robotics.

Zixuan Deng, Kai Li, Arri Priimagi, Hao Zeng