An autonomous lifecycle-control elastomer for embodied intelligence

Embodied intelligence requires materials capable of autonomous lifecycle management, yet integrating self-reporting, self-regulation, self-healing, and recyclability within a single system remains challenging. Here we report an autonomous lifecycle-control elastomer (ALCE) based on dynamically crosslinked hydrogen-bond networks and non-traditional intrinsic fluorescence. Fluorescence is governed by chain conformation, enabling reversible and stimuli-responsive emission for real-time damage and aging reporting. Structural, optical, and hydrogen-bond analyses confirm that the fluorescence enhancement originates from dynamic conformational rearrangement rather than the formation of new chromophores. The dynamic network further enables efficient self-healing, closed-loop recycling, and dual-path mechanical upcycling without additional chemical reactions. Machine-learning-assisted modelling establishes a strong correlation between fluorescence and aging conditions, enabling highly accurate lifetime prediction (R 2 = 0.9929). Practical demonstrations, including impact sensing, lifetime indication, and encrypted communication, highlight the applicability of ALCE in embodied intelligence. This work establishes a general strategy for designing multifunctional polymers toward sustainable and autonomous intelligent systems.