Imagine a robot so gentle it can pick up a delicate dandelion puff without disturbing a single seed! 🌬️ That's exactly what a team of Chinese scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have achieved with their newly developed soft robotic gripper.
In a captivating demonstration, two quivering black silicone strips – think of them as super-soft chopsticks – gracefully clamped onto a fragile dandelion puff, transporting it with utmost care. This isn't your typical sci-fi robot made of cold, rigid metal; it's a flexible marvel that could revolutionize how we interact with delicate living things.
So, what's the secret behind this gentleness? The USTC team's gripper, known as PMSG, is crafted by integrating a porous structure into a magnetic silicone elastomer. By using a pore-forming agent that decomposes upon heating, they created countless tiny pores within the material. This ingenious method packs in a high concentration of magnetic particles while keeping the gripper exceptionally soft.
These tiny pores do more than just soften the gripper; they act like shock absorbers, soaking up the energy from quick movements. This means the gripper can move swiftly without harming fragile objects. Plus, the porous surface increases friction, giving it a better grip without squeezing too hard. It's like having the perfect handshake—not too firm, not too limp! 🤝
The gripper isn't just a lab marvel. It has successfully picked up slippery live goldfish and even a shell-less raw quail egg without a crack! 🐟🥚 Talk about a gentle touch! In fact, it can lift objects 30 times heavier than itself when in a small magnetic field, according to Professor Li Mujun, the lead researcher at USTC.
But the applications go way beyond party tricks. This soft robotic hand could be a game-changer in the medical field, enabling researchers and clinicians to handle fine cell samples delicately and noninvasively. Imagine the possibilities in reproductive research, drug screening, and regenerative medicine!
And it doesn't stop there. The gripper's ability to be remotely operated makes it perfect for integration with mobile robots and drones. Picture a drone gently picking up a small fish from a lake or a robot carefully handling newly hatched chicks. 🐣🚁 This could revolutionize field sampling in natural environments and aid in the rescue of small animals.
This innovation flips the script on how we perceive robots. From rigid and forceful to soft and sensitive, the future of robotics is looking more human—and maybe even a bit softer—than ever before. What would you have this gentle robot pick up? Let us know in the comments! 💬
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
