(Nat. Commun.) Light-Driven Continuous Rotating Mobius Strip Actuators
writer：Nie, Z.; Zuo, B.; Wang, M.; Huang, S.; Chen X.; Liu, Z.; Yang, H.*
keywords：M?bius Strip
source：期刊
specific source：Nature Communications, 2021, 12, 2334.
Issue time：2021年
Twisted toroidal ribbons such as the one-sided M?bius strip have inspired scientists, engineers and artists for many centuries. A physical M?bius 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 M?bius 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.