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Vector-stimuli-responsive magnetorheological fibrous materials
Junhong Pu1,2, Haiqiong Li3,4, Jin Liu3,4
1Research Institute for Intelligent Wearable Systems, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. junhong.pu@polyu.edu.hk.
Nature
|November 5, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed novel magnetorheological fibers that enable directional control of smart textiles. These advanced fibrous materials offer customizable actuation and stiffening for innovative applications in wearables and soft robotics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Textile Engineering
- Robotics
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive fibrous materials are crucial for smart textiles, soft robotics, and wearables.
- Existing materials often lack directional control and functional diversity in response to stimuli like voltage or temperature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer vector-stimuli-responsive magnetorheological fibrous materials with directional controllability.
- To develop customizable fabrics with advanced actuation and stiffening functionalities.
Main Methods:
- Developed an engineering model integrating textile mechanics and soft magnetic material properties.
- Mass-produced soft magnetic polymer composite fibers with optimized properties.
- Assembled fibers into concentric helical yarns for fabric creation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that yarns exhibit controlled bending and stiffening based on magnetic field direction and magnitude.
- Created smart textiles with functionalities including active ventilation, conformable grippers, and haptic feedback gloves.
- Achieved sophisticated vector control for stimuli-responsive fibrous materials.
Conclusions:
- Introduced a new class of magnetorheological fibrous materials for smart textiles.
- Enabled precise, directional control of fabric properties using magnetic fields.
- Paved the way for advanced smart textile innovations in wearables and robotics.
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