4D printing produces a living polymer network that can be printed into 3D shapes and then broken down into its monomer units for reuse.
A soft robotic hand takes a two pronged approach to grasping
Resembling a balloon filled with coffee grounds, this gripper uses granular jamming and electrostatic interactions to manipulate objects.
Pathogen detection with nanotechnology
Researchers turn to nanotechnology to boost the detection of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2.
Flexible zinc-air batteries for wearable electronics
A novel hydrogel component could increase the life cycle of cheap, safe, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient batteries.
3D printing with sound
Using sound fields to trap particles and mold matter in complex shapes, scientists are taking 3D printing to the next level.
Weaving a new flexible energy harvesting technique for wearable tech
A new triboelectric laminate can convert movement to electricity 400 times more efficiently in wearable and implantable technologies.
Crawling earthworm robots get a soft polymer boost
The replacement of rigid parts could help robots more closely mimic the humble worm to help them squeeze into tight spots.
A computing system made from heart cells
A biocomputer built from connected heart cells solves computational problems with high accuracy and at a low computational cost.
Snapping metacaps propel soft robot design
An innovative design allows for sensitive soft robots that can navigate difficult tasks and environments without bulky sensors.
Laser-assisted 4D printing could open new avenues in science and technology
4D printing of metallic shape-morphing systems can be applied in many fields, including aerospace, smart manufacturing, naval equipment, and biomedical engineering.