Dr Ruirui Qiao and her research team at the University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) have used the technique to make medical rehabilitation components and devices that are claimed to have superior strength and flexibility.
“We set out to mimic the locomotion, flexibility and control of mammalian movement,” Dr Qiao said in a statement.
“By combining ‘soft’ spherical liquid metal nanoparticles and ‘rigid’ rod-like gallium-based nanorods in the 3D printing process, we have been able to replicate the interconnected network of bone and muscle that gives animals an advantage in efficiency and strength.
“This tuneable gallium-polymer composite can be used for next generation medical rehabilitation products like high-precision grippers for prosthetic limbs.”
Similar to Dr Qiao’s previous work with liquid metal, the new creations can take and maintain different shapes and functions when exposed to stimuli such as heat and infrared light.
Dr Qiao said many manufacturers draw inspiration from the locomotion mechanisms of soft-bodied creatures in nature.
“But making hybrid structures is very challenging due to limitations in material selection as well as the complex, multi-step processes involved in traditional manufacturing methods,” she said. “We developed a new method to mimic animal physiology to benefit our own technology using a quick and simple manufacturing process.”
Dr Qiao said given the ease of fabrication and its potential applications, the soft-rigid polymer composite could ‘revolutionise’ the field of hybrid soft materials and accelerate innovations in soft robotics.
“We would like to see research that advances 3D printing technologies and design strategies, focusing on increasing the proportion of metal-based nanoparticles within the 3D-printed composite,” she said. “This will further enhance responsive properties and ultimately improve the performance of hybrid soft robots.”
The research is published Advanced Materials.
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