Self-sustained and autonomous locomotion of mobius strip polymer gels

A Möbius strip is a topologically unique surface with only one side and one edge, formed by twisting a strip and joining its ends. This simple yet counterintuitive geometry has inspired studies across mathematics, art, and materials science, but its dynamic potential in soft matter remains largely unexplored. Here, we fabricate Möbius strips from polymer gels, creating soft, flexible structures that undergo complex shape transformations in response to external stimuli. By exploiting the interplay between the strip’s topology and the material’s responsive mechanics, we realize diverse locomotion modes and systematically examine how geometry governs motion behaviors. This work highlights the fundamental role of topology in directing soft active systems and demonstrates a versatile platform for programming motion through design of shape and material properties. We envision that such topologically guided soft structures could inspire next-generation programmable soft robots, adaptive surfaces, and smart materials capable of autonomous, stimuli-responsive reconfiguration.