Magnetoactive phase transitional matter
Topic: Physics
From HandWiki - Reading time: 2 min
Magnetoactive phase transitional matter (MPTM) are miniature robotic machines that can change their shape by switching between liquid and solid state.[1]
Description
MPTMs consist of liquid metal embedded with a neodymium magnet.[1] MPTMs can be programmed to change shape when needed, by using heating and ambient cooling.[1] Heat is generated from an incorporated heating element, or by use of magnetic pulses, switching the robot into liquid mode.[1] Ambient temperatures provides cooling to change the robot into a solid state.[1] The magnetism of the metal holds the machine together while in liquid mode.[1]
History
MPTMs were first created by a collaboration of scientists from Sun Yat-sen University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Zhejiang University.[2][3] Their robot incorporated a heating element, and was able to melt itself to change shape.[3] The first MPTM incorporated neodymium, iron, and boron microparticles in gallium and had a melting point of 29.8 °C.[2][4]
Potential uses
A January 2023 academic paper demonstrated the potential to use MPTMs for mechanical assembly in hard to reach locations, and in medical procedures.[1] Medical use cases were delivery of drugs in the human stomach and the removal of foreign objects.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Wang, Qingyuan; Pan, Chengfeng; Zhang, Yuanxi; Peng, Lelun; Chen, Zhipeng; Majidi, Carmel; Jiang, Lelun (2023-01-25). "Magnetoactive liquid-solid phase transitional matter" (in English). Matter 6 (3): 855–872. doi:10.1016/j.matt.2022.12.003. ISSN 2590-2393. https://www.cell.com/matter/abstract/S2590-2385(22)00693-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Shape-Shifting Robot Can Turn into Liquid and Escape Cage | Sci.News" (in en-US). 2023-01-26. https://www.sci.news/othersciences/robotics/magnetoactive-phase-transitional-matter-11598.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Shape-shifting robot melts itself to escape lab jail" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-64668021.
- ↑ Wang, Qingyuan; Pan, Chengfeng; Zhang, Yuanxi; Peng, Lelun; Chen, Zhipeng; Majidi, Carmel; Jiang, Lelun (2023-01-25). "Magnetoactive liquid-solid phase transitional matter" (in en). Matter 6 (3): 855–872. doi:10.1016/j.matt.2022.12.003. ISSN 2590-2385. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590238522006932.
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