This research demonstrates the optical control of gliding performance in azobenzene-crosslinked liquid crystal networks (azo-LCN) films through photochemical actuation. The study integrates an actuator film with additive constructs to create a rotating glider, mimicking a maple samara, achieving reversible optical tuning of terminal velocity, rotational rate, and circling position. The researchers demonstrate optical modulation of landing points for microfliers both indoors and outdoors and show the scalability of polymer film geometry for miniature gliders with similar light tunability. The material platform is extended to three other gliding modes: Javan cucumber seed-like glider, parachute, and artificial dandelion seed, paving the way for distributed microfliers with contactless flight dynamics control.

Jianfeng Yang, M. Ravi Shankar, Hao Zeng