An international team of scientists has developed a phase-shifting material that allows robots to switch
To create liquid metal with the desired propertiesengineers incorporated magnetic particles of neodymium, boron and iron into gallium, a metal with a relatively low melting point (about 29.76 °C). These particles perform two tasks at once, the developers explain: they provide switching between states of aggregation and control movements.
The principle of changing the stiffness of the sea cucumber(a), technical implementation of a material with similar properties (b) and experimental liquid metal robots (c-e). Image: Qingyuan Wang et al., Matter
Metal with magnetic particles inside is highersensitivity to a variable field. Therefore, by means of induction it is easy to heat the material and induce a phase transition. In addition, the movements of such robots can be controlled using magnets.
Traditional robots are conditionally divided intohard and flexible, say the authors of the work. The former have more rigidity and stability, while the latter have mobility and variability. Both extremes have their pros and cons. In nature, by contrast, organisms typically rely on dynamic changes in stiffness, the scientists explain. For example, the sea cucumber reversibly changes the hardness of its tissue to improve its ability to withstand stress and prevent physical damage.
A robot made of liquid metal goes through a maze. Video: Qingyuan Wang et al., Matter
Liquid metal robot escapes from the "prison". Video: Qingyuan Wang et al., Matter
To demonstrate the possibilities of a hybridrobot, the researchers built an obstacle course for it from a series of tests. Using a magnetic field, the robots jumped ditches, climbed walls, and even split in half to move other objects together before getting back together. In one of the experiments, a humanoid robot liquefies itself to get out from behind bars and reassemble itself into a single whole, like in the movie "Terminator 2".
In addition, engineers have shown that liquidthe microrobot can deliver medicines to or remove foreign objects from a simulated stomach, as well as solder and assemble tiny microcircuits. The authors will continue to work on expanding the possibilities for the practical application of the technology.
Read more:
Earth's core will soon be spinning in a different direction
Watch the hydrogen superyacht 'fly' over the water at 75 knots
The Milky Way is abnormally large for its galactic filament