Articles tagged with "smart-materials"
This shape-shifting graphene material may power next-gen soft robots
Researchers at McGill University have developed ultra-thin graphene oxide films that can fold, move, and sense motion like animated origami, paving the way for advanced soft robotics and adaptive devices. These graphene oxide sheets are both strong and flexible, overcoming previous limitations of brittleness and manufacturing challenges. The material can be folded into complex shapes without cracking, enabling soft robots that operate safely around humans without rigid parts or heavy motors. The folded structures respond to environmental triggers such as humidity, opening and closing reversibly, or can be embedded with magnetic particles for remote control via external magnetic fields. This versatility allows the same base material to be adapted for diverse applications, from medical tools navigating delicate spaces to smart packaging reacting to environmental changes. Beyond actuation, the graphene oxide layers exhibit changes in electrical conductivity as they bend or fold, enabling the material to sense its own motion. This integrated sensing-actuation capability reduces the need for separate components, simplifying design and minimizing size. The researchers describe these as the first reconfig
robotsoft-roboticsgraphene-oxideorigami-materialsactuatorssmart-materialssensors'Smart' crystals self-repair at -320°F, could unlock new space tech
Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Jilin University, have developed a novel type of "smart" organic molecular crystal capable of self-repairing damage even at extremely low temperatures, down to -196°C (-320°F), the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. This material, detailed in Nature Materials, not only restores its structural integrity after mechanical damage in freezing conditions but also recovers its ability to transmit light, making it suitable for flexible optical and electronic devices operating in harsh environments. The self-healing property arises from the crystal’s unique molecular structure, where molecules possess permanent dipole moments that enable mutual attraction and reformation. This discovery marks the first observation of self-healing in an organic crystal across such a wide temperature range, contrasting with previous self-healing materials like gels and polymers that fail under extreme cold. The durable and lightweight nature of these smart molecular crystals holds significant promise for space technology, where materials must withstand severe conditions and impacts from high-speed space debris. Given the
materialsself-healing-crystalssmart-materialsspace-technologylow-temperature-materialsmolecular-crystalsadvanced-materialsNew 3D-printed smart material lets ceramics bend to survive heavy loads
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a novel 3D-printed smart composite that enables traditionally brittle ceramics to bend, absorb energy, and endure heavy mechanical loads without cracking. Led by Associate Professor Hang Yu, the team embedded tiny shape-memory ceramic particles into metal using a solid-state additive friction stir deposition (AFSC) process, which fuses materials below their melting point under intense pressure. This approach produces a strong, defect-free composite that can undergo stress-induced phase transformations to dissipate energy, allowing the material to withstand tension, bending, and compression while maintaining full density in bulk form. This breakthrough overcomes a longstanding challenge in materials science, as shape-memory ceramics previously only functioned at microscopic scales due to their tendency to fracture when produced in bulk. The new composite’s multifunctionality and scalability open up promising applications across defense, aerospace, infrastructure, and high-performance sporting equipment, such as vibration damping in golf club shafts. Supported by the National Science Foundation and the US Army Research Laboratory, the research highlights
materials-science3D-printingsmart-materialsceramicscomposite-materialsadditive-manufacturingshape-memory-materialsSelf-destructing plastic achieved with built-in 'on/off' switch
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a novel type of programmable plastic that can self-destruct on command by incorporating a molecular "on/off" switch. Unlike traditional plastics designed for durability, these new plastics are engineered through conformational preorganization—a method of pre-folding polymer molecules so that specific bonds become exposed and susceptible to breaking when triggered by environmental factors such as water, light, or metal ions. This approach mimics natural polymers like DNA and proteins, which naturally degrade after fulfilling their function. By adjusting the geometry of small chemical groups adjacent to normally stable bonds, the plastics’ degradation timeline can be precisely controlled, ranging from days to years. This innovation does not rely on new or fragile chemicals, making it potentially applicable to a wide range of products, from short-term use items like food containers and packaging to long-lasting materials such as car parts and building components. The plastics can be designed to maintain structural integrity for a desired period before degrading environmentally. However, the technology remains at the laboratory stage, requiring
materialsbiodegradable-plasticspolymer-sciencesustainable-materialsplastic-degradationenvironmental-technologysmart-materialsX-rays reveal platinum crystals forming inside liquid gallium
Scientists at the University of Sydney have achieved a significant breakthrough by using X-ray computed tomography to observe the real-time growth of platinum crystals inside liquid gallium, a process previously considered nearly impossible due to the metal's opacity and density. By dissolving platinum beads in molten gallium or gallium-indium alloys at 500°C and then cooling the mixture, the team captured 3D images revealing intricate frost-like rods and branching crystal formations developing over time. This novel imaging approach, adapted from medical technology, allows researchers to visualize and understand the internal metallic and chemical properties of liquid metals, which are otherwise opaque to traditional microscopy. This advancement holds promising implications for material science and energy technology. The ability to control and tune crystal growth within liquid metals like gallium—a metal that transitions from solid at room temperature to liquid slightly above body temperature—could enable the design of new materials for efficient hydrogen production and quantum technologies. The study highlights liquid metals’ unique combination of fluidity, metallic conductivity, and solvent capabilities
materialsplatinum-crystalsliquid-metalsgalliumhydrogen-productionsmart-materialsx-ray-computed-tomographyLight-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-materialsphotoisomerizationAI-powered muscles made from lifelike materials perform safe actions
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed AI-powered artificial muscles made from lifelike, hierarchically structured flexible fibers that mimic human muscle and tendon. These soft, responsive muscles are paired with intelligent control systems that enable them to sense, adapt, and "remember" previous movements, allowing for real-time adjustment of force and flexibility. Unlike traditional rigid robots, these artificial muscles aim to produce natural, smooth, and safe motions, making them particularly suitable for applications such as stroke recovery or prosthetics, where rebuilding strength and confidence is crucial. The research, published in Materials Horizon, highlights advancements in functional materials, structural design, and manufacturing techniques that enable these muscles to execute pre-programmed movements and respond dynamically to environmental changes through sensory feedback. The team emphasizes the importance of adaptability and biocompatibility, ensuring the materials can integrate safely with the human body without triggering immune responses. Challenges remain in scalability and dynamic reprogramming, but the work represents a significant step toward prosthetics and assistive devices
robotartificial-musclesflexible-materialsAI-powered-roboticssmart-materialsadaptive-roboticsbiomedical-engineeringUS engineers use smart alloys to make concrete rail ties self-repairing
Engineers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, led by Professor Bassem Andrawes, have developed concrete rail ties reinforced with shape memory alloys (SMAs) that can self-repair cracks caused by heavy train traffic. SMAs are smart metals that "remember" their original shape and return to it when heated. By embedding SMAs into concrete ties and using induction heating to activate them, the ties can realign and repair themselves after deformation, potentially enhancing railway safety and reliability. The research, conducted in partnership with Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., involved casting SMAs into standard ties, testing various SMA lengths under stress, and performing full-scale load tests simulating train traffic. The SMA-reinforced ties met and exceeded the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards, marking a significant advancement toward practical application. The team plans to commercialize the technology and conduct real-world testing at the Federal Railroad Administration Transportation Technology Center, aiming to reduce maintenance costs, improve
smart-materialsshape-memory-alloysconcrete-rail-tiesself-repairing-infrastructurerailway-safetyadaptive-reinforcementmaterial-scienceLiquid crystal elastomers give soft robotics 2,000x lifting power
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new type of artificial muscle for soft robotics by integrating liquid crystals (LCs) into liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), a rubber-like material that changes shape with heat. This innovation results in soft robotic muscles that are nine times stronger and more flexible than previous versions, capable of lifting loads up to 2,000 times their own weight and delivering work output nearly three times that of average mammalian muscle. The enhanced strength and stiffness arise from microscopic LC pockets dispersed within the elastomer, which provide solid-like resistance to stretching while maintaining overall flexibility. This breakthrough addresses a key limitation in soft robotics, where traditional materials often lack the strength and durability needed for powerful, precise movements. The new LCE-based muscles enable robots to move more naturally and safely, expanding potential applications in minimally invasive surgery, drug delivery, delicate electronics assembly, and human-assistive manufacturing. The research team plans to advance this technology by developing 3D-printable inks from
soft-roboticsliquid-crystal-elastomersartificial-musclessmart-materialsflexible-roboticsrobotic-actuatorsadvanced-materialsUS scientists create microscopic 'flower robots' for drug delivery
Scientists at the University of North Carolina have developed microscopic "DNA flower" robots—soft, flower-shaped structures made from hybrid crystals combining DNA with inorganic materials like gold or graphene oxide. These nanoscale robots can rapidly fold and unfold in response to environmental stimuli such as changes in acidity, temperature, or chemical signals. This reversible motion, guided by the programmable nature of DNA assembly, allows the DNA flowers to perform adaptive tasks including molecule delivery, triggering chemical reactions, and interacting with biological tissues. The research aims to mimic natural adaptive behaviors seen in living organisms, such as coral movements and blossoming petals, by creating artificial systems capable of sensing and reacting dynamically at a microscopic scale. Potential applications include targeted drug delivery inside the body, minimally invasive biopsies, clearing blood clots, and environmental cleanup by responding to pollutants. Although still in early stages, these DNA flower robots represent a promising new class of soft nanorobots that combine biological programming with stable inorganic components to repeatedly transform shape without structural loss, opening
robotnanorobotsdrug-deliveryDNA-nanotechnologysoft-roboticssmart-materialsbiomedical-engineeringRethinking how robots move: Light and AI drive precise motion in soft robotic arm - Robohub
Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel soft robotic arm that can perform complex tasks such as navigating obstacles or hitting a ball, controlled remotely by laser beams without any onboard electronics or wiring. The arm is made from azobenzene liquid crystal elastomer, a polymer that responds to light by shrinking under blue laser illumination and relaxing in the dark, enabling rapid and reversible shape changes. This material’s fast relaxation time and responsiveness to safer, longer wavelengths of light allow real-time, reconfigurable control, a significant improvement over previous light-sensitive materials that required harmful UV light or slow reset times. The robotic system integrates a spatial light modulator to split a single laser into multiple adjustable beamlets, each targeting different parts of the arm to induce bending or contraction with high precision, akin to the flexible tentacles of an octopus. A neural network was trained to predict the necessary light patterns to achieve specific movements, simplifying the control of the arm and enabling virtually infinite degrees of freedom beyond traditional robots with fixed joints
roboticssoft-roboticssmart-materialsAI-controllight-responsive-materialsmachine-learningazobenzene-elastomer4D 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 gel that stretches 4600%, heals itself can be used in robotics
Researchers in Taiwan have developed an innovative stretchable, self-healing gel that changes color under mechanical stress or temperature variations, potentially transforming wearable technology and soft robotics. This gel combines exceptional elasticity—able to stretch up to 4600% of its original length—with toughness and self-repair capabilities, addressing a common trade-off in soft materials that typically sacrifice either durability, healing, or sensing functions. The key to this breakthrough lies in the gel’s molecular design, which incorporates mechanically interlocked rotaxane molecules arranged in daisy chains, enabling spring-like expansion and contraction. These molecules are chemically bonded within a polyurethane gel reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals, which facilitate self-healing through reversible hydrogen bonds. A special fluorescent unit called DPAC is attached to the rotaxanes, shifting its glow from orange to blue when the gel is stretched or cooled, thus providing a visible indication of stress distribution and temperature changes. This dual-sensing capability allows the gel to act as both a structural material and a built
materialsself-healing-gelsoft-roboticswearable-technologystretchable-materialssmart-materialsmolecular-designChina's 'scissor wing' project could revive hypersonic drone concept
Chinese engineers are revisiting the oblique wing aircraft concept, originally developed in the 1940s, which features a single wing that pivots around the fuselage like a scissor blade. This design allows the wing to be perpendicular at low speeds for takeoff and landing, then rotate to align with the fuselage at high speeds, reducing drag and enabling hypersonic flight. Unlike previous variable-sweep wing aircraft like the F-14, the oblique wing uses a simpler mechanism involving just one wing. However, past attempts, such as NASA’s 1970s AD-1, faced significant stability and control challenges. To overcome these issues, the Chinese project incorporates advanced technologies including supercomputers, artificial intelligence for airflow modeling, smart materials, and sensors to manage structural stresses. The design also uses canards, tailplanes, and active control surfaces to maintain stability during wing movement. The aircraft aims to serve as a hypersonic “mother ship” drone carrier capable of Mach
robotdronehypersonic-technologysmart-materialssensorsartificial-intelligenceaerospace-engineeringNew self-healing plastic outperforms steel in strength tests
US researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Tulsa have developed a new recyclable carbon-fiber plastic composite called Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester (ATSP) that exhibits self-healing properties and outperforms steel in strength tests. Led by Dr. Mohammad Naraghi and funded by the US Department of Defense, ATSP can repair cracks and deformations when heated, restoring or even improving its original strength. This adaptive material shows promise for critical applications in aerospace, defense, and automotive industries, where it can enhance safety by enabling on-demand healing of damaged components and potentially restoring vehicle shapes after collisions. ATSP combines the flexibility of thermoplastics with the stability of thermosets, and when reinforced with carbon fibers, it becomes several times stronger than steel while remaining lighter than aluminum. The material’s chemistry remains stable over multiple reshaping cycles, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics by reducing waste without sacrificing durability. Laboratory tests demonstrated that ATSP could endure hundreds of stress and
materialsself-healing-plasticcarbon-fiber-compositeadvanced-materialsaerospace-materialssustainable-materialssmart-materialsSquid-inspired camo may help US troops vanish from sight and sensors
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, in collaboration with the Marine Biological Laboratory, have uncovered the detailed cellular architecture behind the longfin inshore squid’s ability to rapidly shift its skin from transparent to vividly colored. Using holotomography, a 3-D imaging technique, they visualized the iridophores—specialized cells containing coiled protein columns called reflectin—that act as natural Bragg reflectors to finely control light reflection and scattering. This discovery provides the most detailed explanation yet of how squid achieve dynamic color modulation by twisting and packing these nano-scale reflectin columns. Building on these biological insights, the team engineered a bio-inspired, stretchable composite material that mimics and even extends the squid’s optical capabilities. This flexible film integrates nanocolumnar Bragg reflectors with ultrathin metal layers to enable tunable camouflage across visible and infrared wavelengths. The material dynamically adjusts its appearance in response to mechanical deformation or environmental changes, making it promising for adaptive military camouflage, multispectral
materialsbiomimicrycamouflage-technologynanomaterialsoptical-materialsdefense-technologysmart-materials