Liquid crystal elastomer actuator with serpentine locomotion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics
• Soft Actuators

Background:

• Soft actuators offer advantages in biomimicry and versatile movement.
• Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli-responsive materials with potential for actuation.
• Replicating complex biological locomotion, like serpentine movement, remains a challenge in soft robotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate a soft actuator capable of snake-like serpentine locomotion.
• To utilize a bilayered liquid crystal elastomer ribbon for reversible shape morphing.
• To achieve controlled forward movement using near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a soft actuator using a bilayered liquid crystal elastomer ribbon.
• Integration of two serrated feet to enhance locomotion.
• Employing repeated on/off near-infrared light irradiation to induce reversible shape changes.
• Observation and analysis of the actuator's movement pattern.

Main Results:

• The soft actuator successfully demonstrated forward locomotion.
• The actuator exhibited reversible shape morphing between S-curve and reverse S-curve structures.
• The movement closely resembled the serpentine locomotion observed in snakes.
• Near-infrared light irradiation effectively controlled the actuator's motion.

Conclusions:

• A novel snake-mimic soft actuator based on LCEs was successfully developed.
• Reversible shape morphing driven by NIR light enables efficient serpentine locomotion.
• This work presents a promising approach for developing bio-inspired soft robots capable of complex movements.