Magnetic Putty as a Reconfigurable, Recyclable, and Accessible Soft Robotic Material

Visualizing Nanoscale Interlayer Magnetic Interactions and Unconventional Low-Frequency Behaviors in Ferromagnetic Multishelled Structures

Precise manipulation of van der Waals forces within 2D atomic layers allows for exact control over electron-phonon coupling, leading to the exceptional quantum properties. However, applying this technique to diverse structures such as 3D materials is challenging. Therefore, investigating new hierarchical structures and different interlayer forces is crucial for overcoming these limitations and discovering novel physical properties. In this work, a multishelled ferromagnetic material with controllable shell numbers is developed. By strategically regulating the magnetic interactions between these shells, the magnetic properties of each shell are fine-tuned. This approach reveals distinctive magnetic characteristics including regulated magnetic domain configurations and enhanced effective fields. The nanoscale magnetic interactions between the shells are observed and analyzed, which shed light on the modified magnetic properties of each shell, enhancing the understanding and control of ferromagnetic materials. The distinctive magnetic interaction significantly boosts electromagnetic absorption at low-frequency frequencies used by fifth-generation wireless devices, outperforming ferromagnetic materials without multilayer structures by several folds. The application of magnetic interactions in materials science reveals thrilling prospects for technological and electronic innovation.

Multiscale Transfer Printing via Shape Memory Polymer with High Adhesion and Modulus Switchability

Flexible electronics have gained significant attention as an innovative solution to meet the growing need for information collection from the human body and the environment. However, a critical challenge lies in the need for a transfer printing technique that can fabricate rigid and brittle devices on flexible organic substrates. Here, we develop a multiscale transfer printing technique using an ultraviolet-curable shape memory polymer (SMP) that serves as both the stamp and the receiver substrate. The SMP demonstrates exceptional mechanical performance with toughness at room temperature and remarkable flexibility near its glass transition temperature. The SMP material exhibits an impressive shape recovery ratio and remarkable adhesion switchability. We demonstrate robust transfer printing of diverse objects with different materials and morphologies and in situ transfer of multiscale metallic structures. In addition, the in situ fabricated transparent hyperthermia patches with embedded metal grids are demonstrated, offering potential application in the field of sensors, wearable devices, and electronic skin.

Fabrication and Applications of Magnetic Polymer Composites for Soft Robotics

The emergence of magnetic polymer composites has had a transformative impact on the field of soft robotics. This overview will examine the various methods by which innovative materials can be synthesized and utilized. The advancement of soft robotic systems has been significantly enhanced by the utilization of magnetic polymer composites, which amalgamate the pliability of polymers with the reactivity of magnetic materials. This study extensively examines the production methodologies involved in dispersing magnetic particles within polymer matrices and controlling their spatial distribution. The objective is to gain insights into the strategies required to attain the desired mechanical and magnetic properties. Additionally, this study delves into the potential applications of these composites in the field of soft robotics, encompassing various devices such as soft actuators, grippers, and wearable gadgets. The study emphasizes the transformative capabilities of magnetic polymer composites, which offer a novel framework for the advancement of biocompatible, versatile soft robotic systems that utilize magnetic actuation.