Modular Opto-Magnetic Oscillators: Harnessing Light to Drive Versatile Materials and Functionalities

Self-sustained oscillations are fundamental to dynamic systems in nature, such as heartbeats, ocean waves, and firefly flashes. However, creating similar autonomous, out-of-equilibrium behaviors across diverse materials and structures in artificial settings remains challenging due to the lack of a universal, platform-independent control method. Here, we present an opto-magnetic feedback control strategy that achieves reliable self-excited oscillations through combined light, magnetic, and mechanical interactions based on a modular design approach. The dynamic, plug-and-play assembly of driving and deforming modules endows the platform with exceptional versatility in material type, structural setup, mechanical response, and functional use. Notably, this system can be tuned to produce continuous or intermittent self-oscillations, demonstrating its adaptability. We showcase the broad utility of the system by integrating optical modules for reconfigurable dynamic displays and wide-field-of-view light scanning, together with a thermo-mechano-electrical transduction module for high-efficiency energy harvesting. The proposed approach establishes a universal feedback pathway linking autonomous soft machines with various technological platforms, enabling on-demand adaptation across different application scenarios.