Artificial muscles are indispensable components for next-generation robotics capable of mimicking sophisticated movements of living systems. However, an optimal combination of actuation parameters, including strain, stress, energy density and high mechanical strength, is required for their practical applications. Here we report mammalian-skeletal-muscle-inspired single fibres and bundles with large and strong contractive actuation. The use of exfoliated graphene fillers within a uniaxial liquid crystalline matrix enables photothermal actuation with large work capacity and rapid response. Moreover, the reversible percolation of graphene fillers induced by the thermodynamic conformational transition of mesoscale structures can be in situ monitored by electrical switching. Such a dynamic percolation behaviour effectively strengthens the mechanical properties of the actuator fibres, particularly in the contracted actuation state, enabling mammalian-muscle-like reliable reversible actuation. Taking advantage of a mechanically compliant fibre structure, smart actuators are readily integrated into strong bundles as well as high-power soft robotics with light-driven remote control.

人造肌肉是下一代机器人不可或缺的组成部分，能够模仿生命系统的复杂运动。然而，它们的实际应用需要驱动参数的最佳组合，包括应变、应力、能量密度和高机械强度。在这里，我们报告了受哺乳动物骨骼肌启发的单纤维和具有大而强收缩驱动的束。在单轴液晶矩阵中使用剥离石墨烯填料可以实现具有大功容量和快速响应的光热驱动。此外，由中尺度结构的热力学构象转变引起的石墨烯填料的可逆渗透可以通过电开关进行原位监测。这种动态渗流行为有效地增强了致动器纤维的机械性能，特别是在收缩致动状态下，使类似哺乳动物肌肉的可靠可逆致动成为可能。利用机械兼容的纤维结构，智能执行器很容易集成到坚固的束以及具有光驱动远程控制的高功率软机器人中。