Reprogrammable soft matter brings flexibility to soft robots so that they can display various motions, which is flourishing in soft robotics. However, the reprogramming of photoresponsive materials used in soft robots is time-consuming using existing methods. In this study, we promote a strategy for rapid reprogramming via switchable photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE). The liquid crystalline elastomers doped with semiconductor bismuth compounds (Bi-LCE) used in this work exhibited large photothermal actuation with over 35% shrinkage in 5 s at high PCE state, which demonstrated little deformation at low PCE state. Furthermore, the material was capable of being reprogrammed up to 10 times, with only 20 min required for one PCE reversible switch. Based on this switchable PCE effect, the same Bi-LCE film displayed various shape changes through different programmable pattern. Additionally, a reprogrammable hollow tube made of PCE reprogrammable materials could tune the diameter, cross-section configuration, and surface morphology, which was crucial for microfluidics field. Reprogrammable materials provide endless possibilities for reusability and sustainability in robotics.

可重新编程的软物质为软机器人带来了灵活性，使其能够表现出各种运动，这在软机器人技术中蓬勃发展。然而，使用现有方法对软机器人中使用的光响应材料进行重新编程非常耗时。在这项研究中，我们提出了一种通过可切换光热转换效率（PCE）进行快速重编程的策略。这项工作中使用的掺杂半导体铋化合物的液晶弹性体（Bi-LCE）在高PCE状态下表现出较大的光热驱动，在5秒内收缩超过35%，而在低PCE状态下则表现出很小的变形。此外，该材料能够重新编程多达 10 次，一次 PCE 可逆开关仅需 20 分钟。基于这种可切换的PCE效应，同一个Bi-LCE薄膜通过不同的可编程图案显示出各种形状变化。此外，由PCE可重编程材料制成的可重编程空心管可以调节直径、横截面结构和表面形态，这对于微流控领域至关重要。可重新编程的材料为机器人技术的可重用性和可持续性提供了无限的可能性。