Directed and Continuous Jumping of Soft Robots via Instantaneous Topological Conversion

초록

Jumping motion is one of the representative rapid motions to circumvent obstacles as well as rough terrains. To achieve jumping motions, the adequate kinetic energy is essential to overcome the robots’ own body mass. Furthermore, toward miniaturized jumping robots, a remote powering system is desirable by embedding stimuli-responsive materials in a robot body. Here, we report untethered jumping soft robots with photoactive molecular switch which can induce light-triggered topological conversion. We synthesize monolithic soft robots by embedding azobenzene molecular switch into liquid crystalline monomer in 270° super twisted nematic geometry. Perpendicular alignment between top and bottom of soft robots induces bistable structures which generates a topological conversion that induces unprecedented photomechanical jumping. Finally, we will discuss strategy for directed and continuous jumping of soft robots by alternative light irradiation from top or bottom with intensity gradient.