#Liquid crystal elastomers

[materialsscienceandengineering]

When quantum dots meet blue phase liquid crystal elastomers

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials have attracted tremendous attention for their potential applications in many fields, such as molecular sensors, information encryption, and optical storage. So far, using cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with helical superstructure has proved to be an effective media of amplifying glum value. However, CPL materials constructed by small molecule CLCs are often confined to LC cells, limiting their practical applications in certain scenarios. CLCs polymer films have limited responsiveness to external stimuli due to their frozen helical superstructure in solid states. Meanwhile, whether in CLCs polymers or small-molecule CLCs, magnified glum values of CPL are generally achieved by matching between emission band and the reflection band of the system, it requires precise modulation of the amount of chiral agent added to the system.

Read more.

[coherentmarketinsights]

"Diving Deep into the Specialty Polymers Market: Trends, Innovations, and Strategic Insights

Specialty Polymers: Harnessing the Power of Specialty Macromolecules for Next-Generation Technologies Specialty Polymers Overview

Specialty macromolecules, also known as engineering macromolecules, are a class of macromolecules that are specially engineered to have targeted physical and chemical properties that make them suitable for advanced applications. Though they only represent a small fraction of the total macromolecules market, specialty macromolecules command a significant revenue share due to their higher value and more niche end uses. Types of Specialty Macromolecules

There are several main types of specialty macromolecules classified based on their monomer makeup and resultant properties. Some of the major types include: Polyamides (Nylons)

Polyamides, best known by the brand name Nylon, are a class of thermoplastic macromolecules containing amide linkages along their polymer chains. They are known for their high strength, toughness, and relative durability compared to other plastics. Engineering polyamides such as Nylon 46 and Nylon 610 can withstand higher temperatures than commodity nylons. Fluoromacromolecules

Fluoromacromolecules contain strong carbon-fluorine covalent bonds which give them unique oil, chemical, heat and weather resistance properties. Popular fluoromacromolecules include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). They are used in applications requiring non-stick, low friction surfaces. Polyesters

Engineering polyesters such as liquid crystal macromolecules (LCP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) can be formulated with enhanced heat resistance, strength and rigidity over traditional polyesters. They are employed in automotive, electrical/electronic and consumer goods. Liquid Silicone Rubbers

Liquid silicone rubbers (LSRs) are two-part addition-cure silicone elastomers that vulcanize at room temperature. Their biocompatibility, stability and flexibility make them well-suited for medical, food and microfluidic device applications. Low compression set LSRs retain shape over time. Polyketones

Polyketones are a family of thermoplastics with high strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance derived from their ketone groups in the polymer backbone. They include comacromolecules like polyetheretherketone (PEEK) used in demanding mechanical and electrical end uses. Markets and Applications

Specialty macromolecules are developing across diverse markets driven by the need for advanced material performance. Some of the major application areas include: Automotive

In automotive, specialty macromolecules enable lightweighting through replacement of traditional metals. Nylons, PBT, polycarbonate and liquid silicone aid composites in vehicles. Use in engine components require heat resistance of PEEK and liquid crystal macromolecules. Electronics

Electronics rely on specialty macromolecules for miniaturization and reliability. PTFE, FEP, PET and PVDF bring dielectric, insulating properties. PBT molding aids housings. Semiconductor uses benefit from high heat resistance of PEKK and LCP. Medical

Biocompatible and non-leaching properties of silicones, nylons and PEEK suits medical industry. Implants, catheters, sensors and drug delivery use these. PEKK aids orthopedic devices. Silicones serve prosthetics, wound care and contact lenses. Infrastructure

Resistance to chemical, heat and environmental stress qualifies many macromolecules for infrastructure. PVDF and silicones protect coatings and paints. Dams, tunnels utilize durability of PTFE and polyketones lining. Other Developments

New technologies foster demand for high performance plastics. Renewable energy harvest requires specialty macromolecules in wind turbines, solar cells. Aerospace gravitates toward sturdy yet lightweight materials like PEKK, PEEK. Microfabrication leverages specialty silicones and fluoromacromolecules. As applications diversify, advanced macromolecules enable novel solutions. Future Prospects

The specialty macromolecules market is forecast to sustain strong growth over the medium term supported by their rising penetration across major end-use industries. Polyketones, liquid silicone rubbers and high-temperature polyamides will be key winning product types. The Asia Pacific region is expected to lead future demand growth driven by its large manufacturing industries. Robust R&D focus on bio-based and high-tech specialty macromolecules will further fuel new product innovations and market opportunities going forward.

In Summary, specialty polymers represent a fascinating realm of materials science, offering tailored properties and applications beyond traditional macromolecules. These advanced materials are engineered to meet specific performance requirements, such as enhanced durability, conductivity, or biocompatibility. From aerospace components to medical devices, specialty macromolecules play a crucial role in a wide range of industries, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

[helthcareheven]

From Concept to Cure: The Evolution of Medical Plastics

Overview of Medical Plastics

Medical plastics have become ubiquitous in healthcare applications over recent decades. A wide range of polymers are now used in everything from surgical tools and medical devices to implants, prosthetics, and diagnostic equipment. Some key advantages of plastics for medical applications include their lightweight nature, durability, biocompatibility, and flexibility in design and manufacturing. This article provides an overview of common medical plastics and their uses in modern patient care.

Thermoplastics in Surgical Tools and Medical Devices

Thermoplastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyolefins are widely employed in disposable medical tools and devices. These plastics can be easily shaped, formed, and sealed through heating and cooling processes like injection molding and extrusion. Common thermoplastic applications include surgical drapes, gowns, gloves, face masks, catheters, tubing, syringes, and many other single-use items. Thermoplastics offer sterilizability, low cost, and convenience as they can be produced quickly and disposed of after a single use, reducing risks of cross-contamination compared to reusable materials.

Thermoplastics are also used to construct housings and components of more complex medical devices like dialysis machines, ventilators, ultrasound probes, endoscopes, and surgical tools. Their material properties allow intricate geometries to be replicated precisely while withstanding regular cleaning and sterilization cycles. Polycarbonate and acrylic thermoplastics often feature in medical device and equipment construction due to their transparency properties as well.

Engineering Plastics for Implants and Prosthetics

Engineering plastics with advanced material qualities have enabled new frontiers in medical implants and prosthetics. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) exhibits high strength and wear resistance essential for articulating joint replacements like knees, hips, and shoulders. Since its introduction, UHMWPE has vastly improved implant service lifetimes and mobility for millions worldwide.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) possesses radiolucency, making it well-suited for spinal and cranial implants. Its elastic modulus closely matches bone to minimize stress shielding while exhibiting biocompatibility and fatigue resistance. Titanium alloy and stainless steel bone screws, plates and rods are also widely employed in orthopedic and trauma surgery for strength and compatibility with scans.

Meanwhile, thermoplastic elastomers like polyurethanes facilitate lifelike prosthetics with soft tissue properties and resilience. Silicone formulations provide a barrier while transmitting sensory feedback in advanced prosthetic sockets and sleeves. Such optimized plastics enable unprecedented functionality and quality of life restoration for individuals with missing or non-functioning anatomy.

Diagnostic Equipment and Accessories

Diagnostic imaging modalities heavily rely on plastics to construct vital optical, electronic and mechanical systems. Liquid crystal polymers maintain precision tolerances in ultrasound transducer arrays and fiber optic cabling while withstanding stringent sterilization. Epoxy molding compounds encapsulate sensitive circuitry within CT and MRI scanners in protective housings.

Acrylic sheet forming finds use manufacturing view boxes and light boxes in radiology departments as the material effectively diffuses transmitted light for image analysis. Meanwhile polycarbonate excels as a housing material for portable ultrasound carts, endoscopy towers and lab equipment given its impact resistance, clarity and ease of disinfection. An assortment of commodity plastics from polypropylene to nylon further serve construction of trays, stands, handle grips and miscellaneous accessories throughout diagnostic settings.

Labware, Filtration and Storage

Plastics dominate the production of labware, filters and consumable storage products essential for diagnostic testing and biomedical research. Polypropylene and polyethylene provide an optimal combination of clarity, low bind-in, autoclavability and cost effectiveness for lab bottles, flasks, Petri dishes, microtubes, pipette tips and more. These widely inert plastics minimize risk of compound interactions.

Nylon and polycarbonate reinforce syringes and lab centrifuge containers against high speeds and mechanical stresses. PTFE and PVDF excel as biomaterial compatible membrane choices for important separations in areas like dialysis, blood filtration and cell culture. Meanwhile, plastics like PET and HDPE offer practical sterile storage and transportation solutions for reagents, blood products and clinical specimens with excellent barrier properties.

Future Outlook

Advancements in polymers and manufacturing technologies will undoubtedly yield further medical product innovations to come. Areas of active R&D include smart plastics possessing sensing, actuating and communication abilities for integrated diagnostics. 3D printed personalized implants fabricated from biodegradable polyesters address shortages while minimizing invasive surgery. Tissue engineering scaffolds may someday harness biopolymers ability to encourage natural regeneration. Always guided by principles of biocompatibility and sterility, medical plastics will remain at the forefront of patient care improvement for generations to come.

[jcmarchi]

Researchers Revolutionizing Navigation With Twisted Ringbots

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/researchers-revolutionizing-navigation-with-twisted-ringbots/

Researchers Revolutionizing Navigation With Twisted Ringbots

In the evolving world of robotics, a groundbreaking innovation has emerged: the twisted ringbot. These new soft robots, developed by researchers at North Carolina State University, are redefining the capabilities of autonomous machines with their unique ability to perform three simultaneous behaviors. Unlike conventional robots, twisted ringbots can roll forward, spin like a record, and orbit around a central point, all without any human or computer intervention. This remarkable feat of engineering holds immense promise for navigating and mapping unknown environments, offering a glimpse into the future of soft robotics.

The significance of twisted ringbots in the field of soft robotics cannot be overstated. Their ability to navigate autonomously in various modes opens up new possibilities for exploration in areas where traditional robots or human access might be limited or impossible. This development represents a leap forward in our approach to exploring and understanding the unknown, whether it be deep-sea environments, intricate cave systems, or even extraterrestrial terrains.

Innovative Design and Physical Intelligence

The twisted ringbots owe their unique capabilities to an innovative design, utilizing ribbon-like liquid crystal elastomers that resemble twisted rotini noodles. When formed into a loop, these elastomers create a structure that enables the robots to move in distinctive ways. This design is a prime example of what Jie Yin, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at North Carolina State University, refers to as “physical intelligence.” In this context, the robot’s actions are determined by its structural design and the materials it’s made of, rather than relying on external controls or programming.

The concept of physical intelligence challenges traditional notions of robotics, where movements and behaviors are typically dictated by complex algorithms or direct human control. Instead, the twisted ringbots demonstrate that carefully engineered materials and structures can inherently provide the capabilities needed to perform specific tasks. This approach not only simplifies the design and operation of the robots but also enhances their reliability and durability in various environments.

Mapping Unknown Environments

The practical applications of twisted ringbots, particularly in the realm of exploring and mapping unknown environments, are both intriguing and far-reaching. In their proof-of-concept testing, researchers demonstrated the remarkable capability of these soft robots to autonomously navigate and map diverse spaces.

When placed in confined areas, the ringbots showcased an innate ability to follow the contours and boundaries of the space, effectively tracing its layout. This behavior is crucial in scenarios where detailed mapping of unfamiliar or inaccessible environments is needed, such as geological surveys, archaeological explorations, or even search and rescue missions in complex terrains.

An especially notable aspect of the twisted ringbots’ functionality is their ability to work collaboratively. By introducing multiple ringbots into an environment, each programmed to rotate in different directions, researchers were able to map more complex spaces with enhanced accuracy. This collective operation allows for a comprehensive capture of an area’s layout, showcasing the potential of swarm robotics in environmental mapping. The adaptability and efficiency of these ringbots in navigating various spaces highlight their potential as valuable tools in a wide range of exploratory and analytical applications.

The Future of Soft Robotics and Spatial Exploration

The development of twisted ringbots marks a significant advancement in the field of soft robotics, an area that is rapidly gaining attention for its potential in diverse applications. As Jie Yin notes in the research, finding new ways to control the movement of soft robots in a repeatable, engineered manner is a crucial step in the evolution of this field. The physical intelligence inherent in the design of twisted ringbots represents a novel approach to robotic movement and autonomy, one that could be applied to other forms of soft robotics.

Looking forward, the implications of this research extend beyond mere technical innovation. These advancements in soft robotics open up new possibilities for spatial exploration, especially in environments that are challenging for traditional rigid robots. The versatility and resilience of soft robots like the twisted ringbots make them ideal candidates for tasks ranging from environmental monitoring and space exploration to medical procedures and disaster response.

The emergence of twisted ringbots as autonomous exploratory tools is a testament to the growing capabilities and potential of soft robotics. As this field continues to develop, we can expect to see more innovative applications that push the boundaries of what is possible in robotics, spatial exploration, and beyond.

You can find the full research here.

[pravalika]

Specialty Polymers Market - Forecast (2023 - 2028)

Specialty Polymers Market size is estimated to reach US$248.1 billion by 2027, after growing at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Specialty polymers are derived from natural polymers, semisynthetic polymers and synthetic macromolecule polymers. Specialty polymers have advantageous characteristics, such as improved gas barrier performance, flame resistance and heat stability. They are thus frequently used in a variety of applications, including polymers, resins, monomers, intermediates and more. The booming transportation industry is the primary factor driving the growth of the specialty polymers market. According to the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, in 2020, the global automotive production was 77,711,725 units and in 2021, it was 80,145,988 - an increase of 3%. Also, the growth in construction activities worldwide would fuel the demand for specialty polymers. The COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, hampered the growth of the specialty polymers industry. This was due to the halt in industrial activities associated with automotive, building & construction and more in 2020. Nonetheless, the increase in industrial production activities in 2021 fueled the growth of the Specialty Polymers industry.

Report Coverage

The "Specialty Polymers Market Report – Forecast (2022-2027)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Specialty Polymers Market.

By Source: Natural, Semisynthetic and Synthetic. By Form: Solid and Liquid. By Type: Specialty Elastomers (Fluoroelastomers, Fluorosilicone Rubber, Liquid Silicone Rubber, Natural Rubber and Others), Specialty Thermoplastics (Polyolefins, Polyimides, Vinylic Polymer, Polyphenyles and Others), Specialty Thermosets (Epoxy, Polyester, Vinyl Ester, Polyimides and Others), Biodegradable Polymers, Conducting Polymers, Liquid Crystal Polymers and Others. By End-use Industry: Building & Construction (Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Infrastructure), Transport [Automotive {Passenger Vehicles (PV), Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV)}, Aerospace (Commercial, Military and Others), Marine (Passenger, Cargo and Others) and Locomotive], Textile, Food & Beverages (Fruits & Vegetables, Meat, Confectionery, Bakery Products, Dairy Products, Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages and Others), Electrical & Electronics (Computers, Smartphones, Semiconductors, Wires and Others), Cosmetics & Personal Care (Hair Care, Skin Care, Perfumes & Fragrance and Others) and Others. By Geography: North America (the USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and the Rest of South America) and the Rest of the World [the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel and the Rest of Middle East) and Africa (South Africa, Nigeria and the Rest of Africa)].

Key Takeaways

Asia-Pacific dominated the Specialty Polymers Market, owing to the growth of the automotive industry in the region. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in 2020, the total automobile production in India was 22,655,609 units and in 2021, it was 22,933,230 units - an increase of 1.2%.

The increasing research & development associated with Specialty Polymers would create an opportunity for market growth during the projected forecast period.

Moreover, the surging application of Specialty Polymers as resins, monomers and intermediates in the textile and cosmetics & personal care industries is driving the market growth.

However, the higher price of Specialty Polymers may confine the growth of the Specialty Polymers industry in the upcoming years.

[oldpunk1]

Watch "Dr. Pierre Gilbert Contaminating the bloodstream will be enforced by law 1995 Tag Qanon Q Anon" on YouTube

[petnews2day]

Northern Gritstone backs spinout developing material that mimics 'cat skin'

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/mMdbQ

Northern Gritstone backs spinout developing material that mimics 'cat skin'

LC AuxeTec has secured a seed investment from Northern Gritstone for a material described as similar to the Achilles tendon and cat skin. The University of Leeds spinout has developed an auxetic material made from liquid crystal elastomers that gets thicker rather than thinner when stretched. The startup’s material possesses a unique characteristic that enables it […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/mMdbQ #CatsNews

[tastydregs]

A grasshopper-like soft material can jump 200 times above its thickness

Superhumans don't exist in the real world, but someday you might see super robots. Obviously, robots can be made that are stronger, faster, and better than humans, but do you think there is a limit to how much better we can make them?

Thanks to the ongoing developments in material science and soft robotics, scientists are now developing new technologies that could allow future robots to push the limits of non-human biology. For instance, a team of researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder recently developed a material that could give rise to soft robots capable of jumping 200 times above their own thickness. Grasshoppers, one of the most astonishing leapers on Earth, can leap into the air only up to 20 times their body lengths.

Despite outperforming the insects, the researchers behind the rubber-like jumping material say they took their inspiration from grasshoppers. Similar to the insect, the material stores large amounts of energy in the area and then releases it all at once while making a jump.

Discovered by chance

The rubber-like film is made up of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), special materials that are composed of cross-linked polymer networks. These exhibit properties of elastomers (used to make tires, adhesives, and soft robots) and liquid crystals (used to make TV displays, artificial muscles, and microbots) and are highly responsive to different external stimuli. Overall, LCEs are stronger, more flexible, and better actuators than conventional elastomers.

The study's first author, Tayler Hebner, and her colleagues were examining LCEs and their shape-changing ability. They had no intention of creating a jumping robot at that time, but they observed an interesting behavior of LCEs. “We were just watching the liquid crystal elastomer sit on the hot plate wondering why it wasn’t making the shape we expected. It suddenly jumped right off the testing stage onto the countertop,” Hebner said in a news release.

On coming in contact with the hot place, the material first warped and flipped, and then suddenly, within the next six milliseconds, it leaped in the air to a height of about 200 times its thickness.

The researchers realized that LCEs are responsive to heat, which led to the development of the grasshopper-like material. While commenting on these findings, Hamed Shahsavan, a materials science expert at the University of Waterloo who wasn’t involved in the study, told Ars Technica, “LCEs are typically responsive to heat or light. This work also uses heat to generate the energy required for the deformation and jumping of LCEs.”

What makes the material jump?

According to the researchers, the grasshopper-like material is composed of three elastomer layers and liquid crystals. When the material is heated, the elastomer layers start shrinking but the rate of shrinking is faster in the upper two layers, which are less rigid than the bottom layer. Meanwhile, the liquid crystals also start contracting. As a result of these disproportional changes, a cone-like formation appears near the legs on the backside of the robot’s body.

The robot has four legs attached to its four corner sides: two short legs in the front and two long legs in the backside. According to the researchers, as compared to the short legs, the longer back legs offer a higher point of contact, causing the snap-through force to lift the material at the desired angle.

A large amount of energy gets stored in the cone and this leads to mechanical instability in the film. As the LCE is further heated, the cone-shaped formation rapidly inverts, and the material gets kicked up in the air. The study authors note, “The concentric packing of orientation in each of the LCEs programs a directional shape change into a cone. However, variation in the response of the LCE and the mechanical properties of the materials are shown to introduce a temporal instability that manifests as a snap-through in a freestanding film.”

The researchers claim they can change the configuration of their jumping material such that it leaps on cooling instead of heating. Plus, they can easily control the direction in which the material jumps by changing the alignment of its legs. Shahsavan suggests that such LCEs could be used to make a variety of mobile soft robots and devices.

He added, “Confining the jumping mechanism shown in this study provides a large amount of energy output density that can be harvested for the load-bearing functionality of small-scale soft robots. Jumping can also be utilized for the locomotion of small robots on uneven terrains, either directly or as a mechanism auxiliary to other locomotion mechanisms such as walking, crawling, inching, etc.”

LCEs were discovered about 42 years ago by a chemist named Heino Finkelmann, but this is probably the first time scientists have recognized their extraordinary jumping skills. The resulting grasshopper-like material could provide a potent means of mobility for soft robotics.

Science Advances, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ade1320 (About DOIs)

Rupendra Brahambhatt is an experienced journalist and filmmaker. He covers science and culture news, and for the last five years, he has been actively working with some of the most innovative news agencies, magazines, and media brands operating in different parts of the globe.

[scienceinenglish]

Biomimicking “soft robots” hang upside down, gecko-style

If you’re anything like me, you can’t. Stand. Bugs. Maybe not all bugs. A delicate spider is a fellow fiber artist (and it eats other bugs). A beetle with its elegant elytra is a complement to any garden (and it eats other bugs). But perhaps there’s that one kind of bug that makes you feel like your skin is covered in …bugs.

It seems I have to get over it, because the inchworms of my nightmares might save my life one day. Scientists from the University of Waterloo took inspiration from both catterpillaroid larvae and the significantly less nightmare-nurturing geckos to design the GeiwBot, a robot capable of clinging to and climbing any surface, even upside-down. Their purpose? Not making sure I never sleep again, but rescue operations and heart surgery.

“This work is the first time a holistic soft robot has climbed on inverted surfaces, advancing state-of-the-art soft robotics innovation,” chemical engineer Dr. Boxin Zhao said in a press release.

The key innovation in these machines is that they can use ultraviolet light and local magnetic fields to generate their own power, which means they can be sent to search hard-to-reach places or even inside the human body to assist in heart surgeries without the need for bulky batteries or external cables.

The robots are made of liquid crystal elastomers and synthetic adhesive pads and measure about 4 × 3 × 1 millimeters in size.

Read the full study in Cell Reports Physical Science.

Sun J, Bauman L, Yu L, Zhao B. Gecko-and-inchworm-inspired untethered soft robot for climbing on walls and ceilings. February 15, 2023. Cell Reports Physical Science. 4(2): 101241. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.101241.

www.lifescienceediting.com

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Omnidirectional color wavelength tuning method unlocks new possibilities for smart photonics

In the rapidly evolving field of photonics, an advancement has emerged from Korea, redefining the possibilities of structural color manipulation. Scientists have developed a pioneering technology capable of omnidirectional wavelength tuning, which promises to revolutionize a myriad of tunable photonic applications. Structural colors, derived from the interaction of light with nano-periodic structures, have long captivated researchers due to their vibrant hues and potential for tunability. Traditional methods, however, have critical technical limitations, primarily allowing for wavelength tuning in only one direction—towards only shorter wavelengths (blue-shifting) according to the triggering method for altering the periodic photonic structure. This constraint has been a significant bottleneck, stifling innovation in the realm of more advanced and higher functional photonic devices. In a new paper published in Light: Science & Applications, a team of scientists, led by Professor Su Seok Choi from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Korea and co-workers (Seungmin Nam, Wontae Jung, Jun Hyuk Shin) have developed an omnidirectional color wavelength tuning method for structural colors of chiral photonic elastomers.

Read more.

[myfeeds]

Tiny new climbing robot was inspired by geckos and inchworms

The new robot, developed by engineers at the University of Waterloo, utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light and magnetic force to move on any surface, even up walls and across ceilings. It is the first soft robot of its kind that doesn’t require connection to an external power supply, enabling remote operation and versatility for potential applications such as assisting surgeons and searching otherwise inaccessible places. “This work is the first time a holistic soft robot has climbed on inverted surfaces, advancing state-of-the-art soft robotics innovation,” said Dr. Boxin Zhao, a professor of chemical engineering. “We are optimistic about its potential, with much more development, in several different fields.” Constructed from a smart material, the robot — dubbed the GeiwBot by researchers because of the creatures that inspired it — can be altered at the molecular level to mimic how geckos stick and unstick powerful grippers on their feet. That enables the robot — about four centimetres long, three millimetres wide and one millimetre thick — to climb on a vertical wall and across the ceiling without being tethered to a power source. Zhao and his research team constructed the robot using liquid crystal elastomers and synthetic adhesive pads. A light-responsive polymer strip simulates the arching and stretching motion of an inchworm, while gecko-inspired magnet pads at either end do the gripping. “Even though there are still limitations to overcome, this development represents a significant milestone for utilizing biomimicry and smart materials for soft robots,” said Zhao, the University of Waterloo Endowed Chair in Nanotechnology. “Nature is a great source of inspiration and nanotechnology is an exciting way to apply its lessons.” An untethered soft robot paves the way for potential surgical applications via remote operation inside the human body and for sensing or searching in dangerous or hard-to-reach places during rescue operations. The next step for researchers is to develop a solely light-driven climbing soft robot that doesn’t require a magnetic field and uses near-infrared radiation instead of UV light to improve biocompatibility. Video https://youtu.be/XPFI7bsPktw

[coherentmarketinsights]

Beyond Ordinary: The Rise of Specialty Polymers

Specialty Polymers: Enabling Advanced Materials and Technologies Introduction to Specialty Polymers Specialty polymers are advanced synthetic materials that exhibit unique and highly engineered properties optimized for specialized applications. Compared to commodity polymers, specialty polymers possess enhanced or tailored characteristics that make them suitable for demanding engineering uses. Types of Specialty Polymers

There are several main types of specialty polymers categorized by their chemical composition and properties: High-Performance Thermoplastics

High-performance thermoplastics include materials like polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and liquid crystal polymers (LCPs). These polymers exhibit excellent high-temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength. They are used in applications requiring durability under harsh conditions like automotive and aerospace components. Engineering Thermoplastics

Engineering thermoplastics have superior mechanical and thermal properties to commodity plastics. Examples include polyamide (nylon), polyacetal, polycarbonate, and polyphenylsulfone. These materials are utilized in mechanical parts, electrical/electronic components, medical devices, and more. Elastomers

Elastomer specialty polymers are highly flexible and elastic. Examples include fluoroelastomers, silicone elastomers, and specialty polyurethanes. Their compliant nature makes them well-suited for seals, tubing, gaskets, and other applications requiring flexibility and resilience. Conductive Polymers

Conductive polymers have specialized electronic properties. They are either intrinsically conductive, like polyaniline and polypyrrole, or can be made conductive through the addition of fillers like carbon black. These materials find use in antistatic coatings, sensors, batteries, and other electronic applications. Biomedical Polymers

Biomedical polymers are specially engineered to be non-toxic and biocompatible for applications involving contact with living tissue or fluids. Examples include PEEK, silicone, and various degradable polymers used in implants, prosthetics, drug delivery, and bioengineering. Special Formulations for Specific Applications

Through chemical modification and carefully controlled formulations, specialty polymers can be tailored with very specific properties for highly specialized uses. Areas like coatings, adhesives, fibers, and membranes utilize custom polymer compositions. Properties and Performance of Specialty Polymers

The highly engineered nature of specialty polymers gives them enhanced or unique characteristics compared to general-purpose plastics. Some key properties include: Mechanical Strength

Materials like PEEK, PPS, and nylon possess extreme stiffness, tensile strength, and impact resistance. This makes them suitable for structural or load-bearing applications in aerospace, automotive, and other industrial sectors. Heat and Chemical Resistance

Thermally stable polymers survive high temperatures without degradation. Chemically resistant varieties withstand corrosion from solvents, acids, bases, and other harsh chemicals. This is important for uses in demanding environments. Dimensional Stability

Resistance to thermal expansion, contraction, warping, and other dimensional changes over temperature cycles make specialty plastics valuable for precision parts in applications such as aerospace fasteners. Permeability

Selective permeability to gases, liquids, and vapors allows specialty polymers to function as membranes, seals, and barriers in areas like medical devices, fuel cells, and reverse osmosis systems. Electrical Properties

Materials ranging from conductive plastics to low-dielectric insulators expand the use of polymers into electronics, sensors, high-voltage components, and other technologies requiring specialized electrical performance. Biocompatibility

Special formulations render some polymers non-toxic and compatible with living tissue. This enables medical applications like implant coatings, artificial joints, and drug delivery. Applications of Specialty Polymers in Key Industries The unique properties of specialty polymers enable advanced materials and technologies across many sectors. Here are some examples:

[jcmarchi]

Shape-Shifting Fiber Can Produce Morphing Fabrics - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/shape-shifting-fiber-can-produce-morphing-fabrics-technology-org/

Shape-Shifting Fiber Can Produce Morphing Fabrics - Technology Org

The low-cost FibeRobo, compatible with existing textile manufacturing techniques, could be used in adaptive performance wear or compression garments.

MIT and Northeastern University researchers developed a liquid crystal elastomer fiber that can change its shape in response to thermal stimuli. The fiber, which is fully compatible with existing textile manufacturing machinery, could be used to make morphing textiles, like a jacket that becomes more insulating to keep the wearer warm when temperatures drop. Illustration by the researchers / MIT

Instead of needing a coat for each season, imagine having a jacket that would dynamically change shape so it becomes more insulating to keep you warm as the temperature drops.

A programmable, actuating fiber developed by an interdisciplinary team of MIT researchers could someday make this vision a reality. Known as FibeRobo, the fiber contracts in response to an increase in temperature, then self-reverses when the temperature decreases, without any embedded sensors or other hard components.

[embedded content]

The low-cost fiber is fully compatible with textile manufacturing techniques, including weaving looms, embroidery, and industrial knitting machines, and can be produced continuously by the kilometer. This could enable designers to easily incorporate actuation and sensing capabilities into a wide range of fabrics for myriad applications.

The fibers can also be combined with conductive thread, which acts as a heating element when electric current runs through it. In this way, the fibers actuate using electricity, which offers a user digital control over a textile’s form. For instance, a fabric could change shape based on any piece of digital information, such as readings from a heart rate sensor.

The fiber contracts in response to an increase in temperature, then self-reverses when the temperature decreases, without any embedded sensors or other hard components. Image credits: Courtesy of the researchers / MIT

“We use textiles for everything. We make planes with fiber-reinforced composites, we cover the International Space Station with a radiation-shielding fabric, we use them for personal expression and performance wear. So much of our environment is adaptive and responsive, but the one thing that needs to be the most adaptive and responsive — textiles — is completely inert,” says Jack Forman, a graduate student in the Tangible Media Group of the MIT Media Lab, with a secondary affiliation at the Center for Bits and Atoms, and lead author of a paper on the actuating fiber.

He is joined on the paper by 11 other researchers at MIT and Northeastern University, including his advisors, Professor Neil Gershenfeld, who leads the Center for Bits and Atoms, and Hiroshi Ishii, the Jerome B. Wiesner Professor of Media Arts and Sciences and director of the Tangible Media Group. The research will be presented at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology.

Researchers used a material known as liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). The thick and viscous LCE resin is heated, and then slowly squeezed through a nozzle like that of a glue gun. As the resin comes out, it is cured carefully using UV lights that shine on both sides of the slowly extruding fiber. Credits: Courtesy of the researchers / MIT

Morphing materials

Current shape-changing fibers have pitfalls that have largely prevented them from being incorporated into textiles beyond laboratory settings.

One fiber, known as a shape-changing alloy, only contracts by about 5 percent, doesn’t self-reverse, and often stops working after a handful of actuations. Another, called a McKibben actuator, is pneumatically driven and requires an air compressor to actuate.

The MIT researchers wanted a fiber that could actuate silently and change its shape dramatically, while being compatible with common textile manufacturing procedures. To achieve this, they used a material known as liquid crystal elastomer (LCE).

The MIT researchers used FibeRobo to demonstrate several applications, including an adaptive sports bra made by embroidery that tightens when the user begins exercising. Image credit: Courtesy of the researchers / MIT

A liquid crystal is a series of molecules that can flow like liquid, but when they’re allowed to settle, they stack into a periodic crystal arrangement. The researchers incorporate these crystal structures into an elastomer network, which is stretchy like a rubber band.

As the LCE material heats up, the crystal molecules fall out of alignment and pull the elastomer network together, causing the fiber to contract. When the heat is removed, the molecules return to their original alignment, and the material to its original length, Forman explains.

By carefully mixing chemicals to synthesize the LCE, the researchers can control the final properties of the fiber, such as its thickness or the temperature at which it actuates.

They perfected a preparation technique that creates LCE fiber which can actuate at skin-safe temperatures, making it suitable for wearable fabrics.

They also used an industrial knitting machine to create a compression jacket for lead author Jack Forman’s dog, whose name is Professor. The jacket would actuate and “hug” the dog based on a Bluetooth signal from Forman’s smartphone. Image credits: Courtesy of the researchers / MIT

“There are a lot of knobs we can turn. It was a lot of work to come up with this process from scratch, but ultimately it gives us a lot of freedom for the resulting fiber,” he adds.

However, the researchers discovered that making fiber from LCE resin is a finicky process. Existing techniques often result in a fused mass that is impossible to unspool.

Researchers are also exploring other ways to make functional fibers, such as by incorporating hundreds of microscale digital chips into a polymer, utilizing an activated fluidic system, or including piezoelectric material that can convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.

Fiber fabrication

Forman built a machine using 3D-printed and laser-cut parts and basic electronics to overcome the fabrication challenges. He initially built the machine as part of the graduate-level course MAS.865 (Rapid-Prototyping of Rapid-Prototyping Machines: How to Make Something that Makes [almost] Anything).

To begin, the thick and viscous LCE resin is heated, and then slowly squeezed through a nozzle like that of a glue gun. As the resin comes out, it is cured carefully using UV lights that shine on both sides of the slowly extruding fiber.

If the light is too dim, the material will separate and drip out of the machine, but if it is too bright, clumps can form, which yields bumpy fibers.

Then the fiber is dipped in oil to give it a slippery coating and cured again, this time with UV lights turned up to full blast, creating a strong and smooth fiber. Finally, it is collected into a top spool and dipped in powder so it will slide easily into machines for textile manufacturing.

From chemical synthesis to finished spool, the process takes about a day and produces approximately a kilometer of ready-to-use fiber.

“At the end of the day, you don’t want a diva fiber. You want a fiber that, when you are working with it, falls into the ensemble of materials — one that you can work with just like any other fiber material, but then it has a lot of exciting new capabilities,” Forman says.

Creating such a fiber took a great deal of trial and error, as well as the collaboration of researchers with expertise in many disciplines, from chemistry to mechanical engineering to electronics to design.

The resulting fiber, called FibeRobo, can contract up to 40 percent without bending, actuate at skin-safe temperatures (the skin-safe version of the fiber contracts up to about 25 percent), and be produced with a low-cost setup for 20 cents per meter, which is about 60 times cheaper than commercially available shape-changing fibers.

The fiber can be incorporated into industrial sewing and knitting machines, as well as nonindustrial processes like hand looms or manual crocheting, without the need for any process modifications.

The MIT researchers used FibeRobo to demonstrate several applications, including an adaptive sports bra made by embroidery that tightens when the user begins exercising.

They also used an industrial knitting machine to create a compression jacket for Forman’s dog, whose name is Professor. The jacket would actuate and “hug” the dog based on a Bluetooth signal from Forman’s smartphone. Compression jackets are commonly used to alleviate the separation anxiety a dog can feel while its owner is away.

In the future, the researchers want to adjust the fiber’s chemical components so it can be recyclable or biodegradable. They also want to streamline the polymer synthesis process so users without wet lab expertise could make it on their own.

Forman is excited to see the FibeRobo applications other research groups identify as they build on these early results. In the long run, he hopes FibeRobo can become something a maker could buy in a craft store, just like a ball of yarn, and use to easily produce morphing fabrics.

“LCE fibers come to life when integrated into functional textiles. It is particularly fascinating to observe how the authors have explored creative textile designs using a variety of weaving and knitting patterns,” says Lining Yao, the Cooper-Siegel Associate Professor of Human Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University, who was not involved with this work.

Written by Adam Zewe

Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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