Variable Stiffness Fiber with Self-Healing Capability.
A variable stiffness fiber made of silicone and low melting point alloys quickly becomes >700 times softer and >400 times more deformable when heated above 62 °C. It shows remarkable self-healing properties and can be clamped, knitted, and bonded, as shown in a foldable multi-purpose drone, a wearable cast for bone injuries, and a soft multi-directional actuator.
Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
Alice
A
Tonazzini
Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
Stefano
S
Mintchev
Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
Bryan
B
Schubert
Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pontedera, 56025, Italy.
Barbara
B
Mazzolai
Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
Jun
J
Shintake
Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
Dario
D
Floreano
low melting point alloys; self-healing; soft actuators; variable stiffness; wearable devices