Soft, rubber-like liquid crystalline elastomers can be stimulated by light or heat to twist, tilt left and right, shrink and expand

https://news.osu.edu/researchers-develop-new-shape-changing-polymer/

"single component that can twist in 2 directions... easier manufacture... 3 phases that the material goes through as its temperature changes... controlled drug delivery systems, biosensor devices, aid in complex locomotion maneuvers for soft robots, artificial muscles"

Related: A flexible lens controlled by light-activated artificial muscles promises to let soft machines see
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-flexible-lens-artificial-muscles-soft.html