Engineers at Cornell University in Ithaca have developed a soft robot that canHeal Yourself
Soft robot with fiber optic sensors. Image: Hedan Bai et al., Science Advances
In their work, the researchers combinedfiber optic sensors with polyurethane urea elastomer. It is a flexible material that combines hydrogen bonding for fast healing and disulfide exchanges for strength. Combining materials led to the creation of SHeaLDS - self-healing light guides.
LEDs direct light throughoptical fiber, scientists explain. At the other end is a photodiode - a semiconductor that passes current, which measures the intensity of the beam. If the material is damaged or deformed, the radiation intensity changes. So the robot learns about the damage, scientists explain.
Scheme of operation of damage detection mechanisms. Image: Hedan Bai et al., Science Advances
The researchers installed SHeaLDS in a soft robot to demonstrate how it works. The robot resembled a four-legged starfish and also had built-in feedback control.
The researchers pierced one of the legs of the robot sixtimes, and each time he discovered the damage and healed himself. It only took the robot about a minute to heal itself. He could also automatically adapt his gait after detecting damage, allowing him to create a durable robot that could repair itself.
The researchers note that although the robot canheal cuts, it's not eternal. Human skin recovers well from minor cuts, but complex chemical trauma or burns leave marks. Composite material shows similar properties - it can recover in simple cases, but if the chemical structure is changed, it will no longer be possible to cure.
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