(Image source from: PIO invented chains of magnetic nanoparticles to control soft robots})

Sumeet Mishra, PhD student from North Carolina State University has been invented a new technique to control soft robots. Soft robots can be controlled by remote through this technique. The technique is based on chains of magnetic nanoparticles which manipulate elastic polymers in 3D.

According to the view of researchers, the way the nanocomposite moves can be controlled through the applying magnetic field.  Soft robots can be used in biomedical technologies as well as in manufacturing processes if the motion and flexibility controlled.

Sumeet Mishra, PhD student and lead author of the paper said that, “Using this technique, we can create large nanocomposites, in many different shapes, which can be manipulated remotely. The nanoparticle chains give us an enhanced response, and by controlling the strength and direction of the magnetic field, you can control the extent and direction of the movements of soft robots,” he described.

According to the novel technique, first they disperse magnetite’s nanoparticles,  which is an iron oxide into a solvent to dissolve the polymer into the mixture. Then, the desired shape can be made as the mixture is poured into the mold. After that, magnetite nanoparticles  make parallel chains with arranging themselves when the magnetic field applied.

 “Electrical control can raise safety issues for some medical applications, Magnetic fields, on the other hand, pass through easily — and pose fewer safety challenges,” Mishra mentioned.

Nandini