An intelligent soft material that curls under pressure or expands when stretched

Nanowerk  February 24, 2021
Existing perceptive soft actuators require complex integration and coupling between the discrete functional units to achieve autonomy and intelligently interact with humans and the environment. Researchers in China have developed actuators with embodied sensing, actuation, and control at the single-unit level by synergistically harnessing the mechanosensing and electrothermal properties of liquid metal (LM) to actuate the thermally responsive liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). They created multifunctional LM circuits on the LCE surface using a simple and facile methodology based on magnetic printing. The fluidic LM circuit can be utilized as a conformable resistive heater, and a sensory skin to perceive its own deformation that makes it possible to achieve biomimetic autonomous actuation in response to mechanical stimuli such as pressure or strain. The work provides a unique and simple design for autonomous soft robotics with embodied intelligence…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE

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