Articles tagged with "adaptive-materials"
Inside the new stent that expands, contracts, and remodels with your heart
The article discusses a groundbreaking stent technology called DynamX, developed by Dr. Tamil Muthusamy, an interventional cardiologist. Unlike traditional drug-eluting stents (DES) that are rigid and can cause long-term complications due to their inability to move with the natural dynamics of the heart’s arteries, DynamX is designed to expand, contract, and remodel in sync with the artery. Traditional stents, while effective initially, have a 2–3% annual failure rate over ten years, leading to significant repeat procedures. This is largely because rigid stents restrict the artery’s natural pulsatility and rotational movements, especially in critical vessels like the left anterior descending artery (LAD), causing biological stress, cell damage, and excessive scar tissue formation. DynamX addresses these issues by using three interlocked helical coils held rigid by bioabsorbable polymers during the early healing phase. After about six months, the polymers dissolve, allowing the coils to unlock and the stent to
materialsbiomedical-materialsbioabsorbable-polymersmedical-devicesstent-technologycardiovascular-innovationadaptive-materialsAirless wheel can enable robust, reconfigurable two-wheel lunar rovers
Scientists led by Seong-Bin Lee at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a flexible, airless wheel designed for two-wheeled lunar rovers. This innovative wheel can expand from a compact 230mm diameter to a robust 500mm diameter without hinges, thanks to elastic steel strips arranged in a woven, crossed-helical pattern that evenly distribute weight and reduce wear. The wheel’s unique hub design allows two sides to rotate in opposite directions, enhancing adaptability and durability. In tests, a rover equipped with these wheels successfully traversed simulated lunar soil, climbed over obstacles, withstood a four-meter drop, endured fire exposure, and operated under extreme temperatures, demonstrating its resilience and operational efficiency. The development addresses key challenges in lunar exploration, particularly the need for reliable transportation over rocky, unstable terrain near natural shelters like caves and pits, which are crucial for future lunar bases. Unlike traditional heavy machinery, these reconfigurable wheels offer a safer, more adaptable solution for navigating difficult environments
robotlunar-roverairless-wheelspace-explorationrobotics-engineeringrover-technologyadaptive-materialsLight-controlled material changes shape in 1D, 2D, or 3D on demand
Japanese researchers at Chiba University have developed a novel supramolecular polymer system capable of dynamically changing its structure in one, two, or three dimensions by modulating light intensity. This material combines a light-responsive azobenzene unit with a barbituric acid-based merocyanine core, enabling it to exhibit supramolecular polymorphism controlled by light. Initially forming 1D coiled nanofibers, the system naturally transitions into 2D nanosheets under ambient light. When exposed to strong ultraviolet (UV) light, the material reverses back into 1D nanofibers due to photoisomerization disrupting hydrogen bonds, while weak UV light induces the formation of 3D nanocrystals through Ostwald ripening, where smaller nanosheets dissolve and redeposit onto larger ones. This research addresses a fundamental challenge in materials science: creating out-of-equilibrium molecular assemblies that adapt their structure based on the amount of energy input, mimicking living organisms. The ability
materialssmart-materialssupramolecular-polymerlight-responsive-materialsnanotechnologyadaptive-materialsphotoisomerizationShape-shifting coral that stiffens in seconds to transform robotics
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that the Pacific soft coral Leptogorgia chilensis can rapidly shift its skeleton from soft to stiff by employing a natural granular jamming mechanism. This coral’s skeleton is composed of millions of uniquely shaped calcium carbonate particles called sclerites, suspended in a gelatinous matrix. When the coral is disturbed, it expels water, causing the gel to shrink and the sclerites to compact and interlock, instantly stiffening the coral’s branches. This biological example of granular jamming—previously observed only in non-living materials like sand—demonstrates a novel natural adaptation where hard mineral particles jam together to provide protection. The study, led by doctoral student Chenhao Hu and associate professor Ling Li, used advanced imaging, computer modeling, and mechanical testing to analyze how the coral’s sclerites interlock under pressure. The distinctive rod-like shape of the sclerites with branching outgrowths allows them to jam tightly when compressed, enabling the
roboticsmaterials-sciencegranular-jammingshape-shifting-materialsbio-inspired-roboticscalcium-carbonateadaptive-materialsVehicles can get improved crash protection with adaptive metamaterials
Researchers from universities in Scotland and Italy have developed a novel 3D-printed twisting metamaterial designed to improve crash protection in vehicles. Unlike traditional static protective materials, this new material features a unique gyroid lattice structure that twists upon impact, allowing it to mechanically adapt its energy absorption properties. By adjusting boundary conditions, the material can provide either stiffer resistance for heavy collisions or softer cushioning for lighter impacts, all without the need for complex electronics or hydraulics. This adaptive behavior is achieved through mechanical control of rotation, converting compressive forces into torsional motion that dissipates energy efficiently. Manufactured using additive techniques with FE7131 steel, the material’s architecture enables nonlinear responses and geometry-induced torsional actuation, classifying it as a subclass of architected lattices governed by micropolar elasticity. Laboratory tests under both rapid impacts and quasi-static compression demonstrated that constraining the material’s twist maximizes stiffness and energy absorption, reaching up to 15.36 joules per gram. The research,
materialsmetamaterials3D-printingenergy-absorptionautomotive-safetyadaptive-materialsimpact-protection4D printing with smart materials is changing product design
The article discusses the transformative impact of 4D printing, an advancement over traditional 3D printing that incorporates smart materials capable of changing shape, properties, or functionality over time in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light, moisture, or pH. Originating from the concept introduced by MIT researchers in 2013, 4D printing uses programmable materials that enable printed objects to bend, fold, expand, or contract after fabrication, effectively adding time as a functional design dimension. This innovation allows objects to adapt to their environment or self-assemble, marking a significant evolution in additive manufacturing. Key applications of 4D printing span across multiple industries. In medicine, it enables devices like stents that can expand automatically inside the body, reducing invasive procedures, and drug delivery systems that release medication only under specific conditions, enhancing treatment safety and efficacy. In construction and aerospace, 4D printing promises self-assembling structures that reduce labor and costs, while in robotics, it facilitates the creation
4D-printingsmart-materialsadditive-manufacturingshape-memory-polymersprogrammable-materialsadaptive-materialsmaterials-science4D printing with smart materials is changing product design
The article discusses the transformative impact of 4D printing, an advancement of traditional 3D printing that incorporates smart materials capable of changing shape, properties, or functionality over time in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light, moisture, or pH. This innovation adds the dimension of time to additive manufacturing, enabling printed objects to bend, fold, stretch, or self-assemble after fabrication. Originating from concepts introduced by MIT researchers in 2013, 4D printing leverages programmable materials like shape memory polymers to create dynamic structures, such as medical stents that expand at body temperature or flat structures that morph into complex shapes when triggered. The potential applications of 4D printing span multiple industries. In medicine, it offers minimally invasive devices and targeted drug delivery systems that activate under specific conditions, enhancing treatment safety and efficacy. In construction and aerospace, 4D printing could facilitate self-assembling structures, reducing labor and costs. Additionally, the technology promises advancements in soft robotics and
4D-printingsmart-materialsadditive-manufacturingshape-memory-polymersprogrammable-materialsadaptive-materialsmaterials-scienceNew robotic sheet morphs in real time with heat and smart sensors
Researchers at KAIST have developed a groundbreaking programmable robotic sheet capable of real-time shape-shifting, crawling, folding, and gripping without mechanical hinges or external reconstruction. This flexible polymer sheet is embedded with a dense network of metallic resistors that serve dual functions as heaters and sensors, enabling heat-activated folding and real-time feedback control. Unlike traditional folding robots that rely on fixed hinges and predetermined folding paths, this sheet can be reprogrammed on the fly via software commands to change its shape and function autonomously, demonstrating folding angles from -87° to 109° and operating across temperatures from 30°C to 170°C. The system integrates artificial intelligence techniques, including genetic algorithms and deep neural networks, to enhance adaptability and decision-making in response to environmental changes. This closed-loop control enables the sheet to exhibit “morphological intelligence,” where its shape dynamically contributes to its functionality. Demonstrations included the sheet crawling like a biological organism and adjusting its grip on various objects. Future improvements aim to increase
roboticssmart-sensorsadaptive-materialsheat-activated-foldingprogrammable-roboticsartificial-intelligenceflexible-polymers