Gradient‐Engineered Liquid Crystal Elastomer Scroll Springs for Snapping Chiral Spiral Flip and Mechanical Output

Soft actuators can generate complex motions, but converting reversible shape morphing into programmable mechanical output by coupling winding inversion, elastic energy storage, and snap‐through release within a single material system remains challenging. Here, we report a gradient‐engineered liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) scroll spring that undergoes large‐amplitude snapping chiral spiral flip and functions as a soft‐material analogue of a mechanical scroll spring. A through‐thickness graphite gradient creates intrinsic asymmetric actuation, while programmed mesogen alignment and scroll spring geometry couple molecular contraction with hierarchical elastic energy storage. Under thermal or photothermal stimulation, the actuator reversibly switches between oppositely wound spiral states with a total bending‐angle change of ≈3500°. The stored energy is rapidly released through snap‐through, producing rotation and jumping. Integration into mechanical assemblies further enables light‐driven gear transmission, directional propulsion, and cargo transport. This strategy converts chiral spiral flip in LCEs into programmable mechanical outputs for compact, light‐powered soft machines.