Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have introduced a wearable fabric, called RoboFabric, that can stiffen on demand.
Inspired by the scales of pangolins and armadillos, which interlock to form a protective shell, the innovative fabric is created by an advanced mathematical algorithm that designs an interlocking system of tiles, 3D printing, and robotic control.
To get it to work, the 3D-printed tiles are arranged and connected together by either metal fibers running through tiny channels between them or an external soft case, needing negative air pressure or vacuum to be applied constantly.
When the fibers are contracted, the tiles interlock and stiffen, making the RoboFabric not only increase to 350 times its hardness, but also gain strength and stability. This patent-pending technology is promising for medical devices and soft robotics, among other applications.
According to the research team, human muscle activity can be reduced by up to 40% if using the device assists joints while lifting loads. Instead of using a plaster cast for fractures, patients would have the option of customizing flexible limb support such as devices made from RoboFabric, which would be easy to put on or remove by a button.
To make this happen, the researchers upload a 3D scan of a wrist or the elbow to proprietary software and use a special algorithm to automatically dissect a 3D model into dozens of geometric tiles and print them out. After that, metal fibers are threaded and connected to an electric device that can tighten or loosen the fibers.
The research team introduced a tiny robot made of thin wave-shaped tiles covered in an elastic envelope that can transition to its designated shape. When a vacuum is applied, it becomes stiff and when the vacuum pressure is removed, it goes back to a soft state.
This transforming process allows the small robot to climb or swim in water. It also can carry small loads or protect fragile assets by forming a rigid shell around them.
In addition, the team demonstrated four robots that are combined to form a robotic gripper on a drone, which can pick up small items when in a rigid state and can drop the items when it’s relaxed.
Article Source: NTU Singapore
Image by Elena_photoo from Pixabay
