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Updated: May 24, 2025
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An Additive Manufacturing Technique for the Facile and Rapid Fabrication of Hydrogel-based Micromachines with Magnetically Responsive Components
Published on: July 18, 2018
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Addressable and perceptible dynamic reprogram of ferromagnetic soft machines
Yuxuan Sun1, Boxi Sun1, Xiang Cui2
1Institute of Humanoid Robots, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
Nature Communications
|March 6, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed dynamically reprogrammable magnetic soft machines. These machines allow in situ reconfigurable magnetization profiles, enhancing adaptability and functionality for complex tasks and multi-robot cooperation.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Soft machines actuated by magnetic fields show promise for biological and environmental interactions.
- Current limitations include rigid magnetization, restricting adaptability and functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce dynamically reprogrammable magnetic soft machines.
- To enable in situ reconfigurable magnetization profiles during operation.
Main Methods:
- Integrated a flexible resonant circuit for addressable, localized heating using high-frequency fields.
- Utilized microbeads of low-melting-point alloy and NdFeB microparticles.
- Employed a 40 mT pulsed programming field for microparticle reorientation upon alloy liquefaction and subsequent cooling for configuration locking.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated in situ reconfigurable magnetization profiles in soft machines.
- Achieved versatile multi-pattern deformation of individual machines and cooperative behavior among multiple machines.
- Showcased in situ assembly of multiple robots via addressable thermal actuation.
Conclusions:
- The developed magnetic soft machines offer dynamic reprogrammability, overcoming limitations of rigid magnetization.
- This technology enables enhanced functionalities, including complex deformations and cooperative assembly.
- Paves the way for a broader range of magnetic soft machines with advanced capabilities.
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