Smart Materials

Scientists Use Smart Materials in Micro-Robotic Swarms to Provide New Treatment Options for Gastrointestinal Diseases

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Scientists Use Smart Materials in Micro-Robotic Swarms to Provide New Treatment Options for Gastrointestinal Diseases

Recently, researchers from Shanghai University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) collaborated to develop a novel type of magneto-thermal hydrogel swarms. Through magnetic-thermal cooperative regulation, the hydrogel swarms can remotely heat magnetic particles using a magnetic field; when magnetic heating is required, they switch to a high-frequency oscillating magnetic field, causing the material … Read more

The New Paradigm of Future Infrastructure: AI + IoT Sensors + Smart Materials for Self-Healing Urban Infrastructure

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The New Paradigm of Future Infrastructure: AI + IoT Sensors + Smart Materials for Self-Healing Urban Infrastructure

As we traverse the steel and concrete of our cities daily, the roads beneath our feet, the bridges above our heads, and the houses we live in—these infrastructures that support modern life are quietly undergoing the erosion of time. Globally, aging infrastructure resembles a “silent crisis,” and the traditional passive maintenance model (Identify Issues → … Read more

Tsinghua University’s Miniature Soft Robot Can Climb Various Surfaces, Change Size from 6 to 90 mm, and Even Somersault!

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Tsinghua University's Miniature Soft Robot Can Climb Various Surfaces, Change Size from 6 to 90 mm, and Even Somersault!

What does the strongest climbing robot in history look like? Drumroll, the answer is revealed— Don’t be fooled by its small size; it has conquered almost all types of terrain! It belongs to the family of miniature soft robots, and in addition to basic surfaces like walls, slopes, and ceilings, it can traverse cylindrical surfaces, … Read more

Tsinghua University Develops a Miniature Pipeline Robot for Efficient Sub-Centimeter Pipeline Inspection

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Tsinghua University Develops a Miniature Pipeline Robot for Efficient Sub-Centimeter Pipeline Inspection

Recently, Tsinghua University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Modern Mechanisms and Robotic Equipment Laboratory has developed a pipeline inspection robot capable of efficient movement in sub-centimeter pipelines. This unusual design inspiration comes from earthworms. Despite its small size, the robot has significant applications! This article will detail its working principles, key technologies involved, and future application … Read more

How Did 3D Printed Eiffel Tower Bend? Discovering 4D Printing

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How Did 3D Printed Eiffel Tower Bend? Discovering 4D Printing

Currently, 3D printing technology is flourishing, generating tremendous economic benefits in various fields such as mold manufacturing, product design, and biomedical applications. If we say that 3D printing is “building a tower from sand”, connecting discrete materials into a cohesive whole with specific shapes and functions through computer-aided design, then by introducing materials with specific … Read more