The flexible robotic arm not only blurs the lines between robots and living organisms but also promises a new future for scientific and technological applications.
In the realm of science fiction, powerful and sturdy steel robots often appear as the ideal model.
However, a groundbreaking invention from Chinese scientists – the flexible and adaptable robotic arm – is gradually changing this perception.
This soft arm creates an ideal balance between flexibility and gripping force. (Source: Xinhua)
According to a report published in the journal Advanced Materials, an impressive demonstration video showcased two soft black silicon strips, as small as chopsticks, controlled with high precision by a magnetic field, gentle enough to lift and transport a dandelion flower without damaging its delicate petals.
This breakthrough comes from a research team at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), where they incorporated magnetic particles into a porous silicon material, resulting in a robotic arm that is both soft and responsive.
The researchers noted that with slight adjustments, this device could be applied in various fields – from assisting in in vitro fertilization to wildlife rescue.
Unlike traditional metallic robotic fingers that can exert excessive pressure, this soft arm achieves an ideal balance between flexibility and gripping force, making it perfect for handling sensitive objects.
The USTC team has overcome technical limitations by integrating magnetism into the porous structure of the material, allowing the robotic arm to possess both strength and flexibility.
This porous structure helps absorb energy, reducing the risk of damaging delicate objects, while also increasing friction, improving stability, and reliability during gripping.
In tests, the robotic arm successfully lifted difficult-to-handle items such as slippery goldfish and quail eggs without shells. Thanks to its remote control capability and easy integration with mobile devices, this arm can perform delicate tasks in medicine, such as handling cells, sperm, and tissue, playing a crucial role in reproductive research, regenerative medicine, and drug screening.
Additionally, the robotic arm can be compatible with drones, opening up possibilities for collecting samples in natural environments or rescuing small animals.
This soft and flexible arm not only blurs the boundary between robots and living beings but also promises a new future for scientific and technological applications.
