Smart foam material gives robotic hand the ability to self-repair

[Judi Lynn]

July 5, 2021
10:42 PM CDT
Last Updated 16 minutes ago

Travis TeoLee Ying Shan

2 minute read

SINGAPORE, July 6 (Reuters) - Singapore researchers have developed a smart foam material that allows robots to sense nearby objects, and repairs itself when damaged, just like human skin.

Artificially innervated foam, or AiFoam, is a highly elastic polymer created by mixing fluoropolymer with a compound that lowers surface tension.

This allows the spongy material to fuse easily into one piece when cut, according to the researchers at the National University of Singapore.

"There are many applications for such a material, especially in robotics and prosthetic devices, where robots need to be a lot more intelligent when working around humans," explained lead researcher Benjamin Tee.

More:
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/smart-foam-material-gives-robotic-hand-ability-self-repair-2021-07-06/?rpc=401&

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Perhaps this could be applied to an improved self-sealing fuel tank. nt