Light-Powered Self-Translation of an Asymmetric Friction Slider Using a Liquid Crystal Elastomer String Oscillator

In recent years, there have been many studies focused on improving the performance of active materials; however, applying these materials to active machines still presents significant challenges. In this study, we introduce a light-powered self-translation system for an asymmetric friction slider using a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) string oscillator. The self-translation system was composed of a hollow slide, two LCE fibers, and a mass ball. Through the evolution of photothermal-induced contraction, we derived the governing equations for the system. Numerical simulations revealed two distinct motion modes: the static mode and the self-translation mode. As the mass ball moved, the LCE fibers alternated between illuminated and non-illuminated states, allowing them to effectively harvest light energy to compensate for the energy dissipation within the system. Unlike traditional self-oscillating systems that oscillate around a fixed position, the asymmetric friction enabled the slider to advance continuously through the oscillator's symmetric self-sustained oscillation. Furthermore, we explored the critical conditions necessary for initiating self-translation as well as key system parameters that influence the frequency and amplitude of the oscillator and average speed of the slider. This self-translation system, with its simple design and ease of control, holds promising potential for applications in various fields including soft robotics, energy harvesting, and active machinery.