Dual-switch cascaded soft actuator for multistep actuation and 4D dynamic geometric encryption

Abstract

Actuators with programmable multistep spatiotemporal actuation offer solutions for geometric information encryption. However, conventional methods often depend on macroscopic assembly, neglecting molecular cascade effects in multioriented structures, which limits their applicability. We present a “time-gated” dual-switching soft actuator where the different kinetics of the two phase-transition-induced shape changes enables novel demonstrations. Through temperature and temporal control, a molecular cascade effect where LC alignment-induced stress fields template crystalline orientation is achieved. This design enables versatile transitions between single-phasic and cooperative-biphasic control modes. By synergizing macro- and micro-structural design, the system demonstrates spatiotemporal programmable multistep actuations. Therefore, a 4D thermomechanically modulated geometric information encryption system was constructed based on timing sequence decryption. It decodes different barcode information through two secret keys featuring temperature and time as two channels for high-security upgrades. This “dual-switch” strategy provides scalable, modular solutions for future adaptive systems in dynamic information security technologies.