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.
To replicate the human sense of touch, the researchers
infused the material with microscopic metal particles and added tiny electrodes
underneath the surface of the foam.
When pressure is applied, the metal particles draw closer
within the polymer matrix, changing their electrical properties. These changes
can be detected by the electrodes connected to a computer, which then tells the
robot what to do, Dr Tee said.
"When I move my finger near the sensor, you can see the
sensor is measuring the changes of my electrical field and responds accordingly
to my touch," he said.
This feature enables the robotic hand to detect not only the
amount but also the direction of applied force, potentially making robots more
intelligent and interactive.
Dr Tee said AiFoam is the first of its kind to combine both
self-healing properties and proximity and pressure sensing. After spending over
two years developing it, he and his team hope the material can be put to
practical use within five years.
"It can also allow prosthetic users to have more intuitive use of their robotic arms when grabbing objects," he said. REUTERS.
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