Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a programmable metafluid that demonstrates the ability to transform its properties in response to pressure. The distinct characteristics of this material include a changeable viscosity, optical transparency, the ability to shift from a Newtonian to a non-Newtonian fluid, and changeable springiness.
The metafluid is made up of a suspension of tiny elastomer spheres that buckle under pressure, causing significant changes to the fluid’s characteristics. The team envisions potential applications in robotics, optical devices, and shock absorbers that can intelligently dissipate energy depending on the impact’s intensity.
In contrast with solid metamaterials, metafluids have a unique capacity to flow and adapt to the shape of their container. The research team utilized a scalable fabrication technique to produce hundreds of thousands of these highly-deformable spherical capsules, filled with air and suspended in silicon oil. The capsules collapse under pressure to form a lens-like half-sphere and return to their spherical shape when the pressure is removed.
The team demonstrated its programmability by designing a hydraulic robotic gripper that used the metafluid to adjust pressure and safely pick up objects. This new fluid technology eliminates the need for additional programming or sensing.
The metafluid also exhibited a change in optical properties when exposed to different pressures, helping the liquid transition from opaque to transparent, a feature that could be used in e-inks to change color based on pressure. The research team is now looking into the acoustic and thermodynamic properties of the metafluid, broadening the scope for its potential applications.
Vocabulary Insights:
- Metafluid /?m?t?flu??d/ (noun): A fluid with programmable properties that can change in response to external stimuli.
- Viscosity /v??sk?s?ti/ (noun): A measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow.
- Elastomer /??læst?m?r/ (noun): A polymer with viscoelasticity, meaning it has both viscosity and elasticity.
- Fabrication /?fæbr??ke???n/ (noun): The process of making something, typically involving the assembly of parts or materials.
- Dissipate /?d?s?pe?t/ (verb): To cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish.
- Eliminate /??l?m?ne?t/ (verb): To completely remove or get rid of something.
- Opaque /o??pe?k/ (adj.): Not able to be seen through; not transparent.
- Acoustic /??ku?st?k/ (adj.): Relating to sound or the sense of hearing.
- Thermodynamic /???rm??da??næm?k/ (adj.): Relating to the relationship between heat and other forms of energy.
Vocabulary List:
- Cancellation (noun): The act of calling off or postponing an event.
- Refunded (verb): Given back money that was paid.
- Transparency (noun): The quality of being open and honest.
- Metafluid (noun): A fluid with programmable properties that can change in response to external stimuli.
- Viscosity (noun): A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow.
- Elastomer (noun): A polymer with viscoelasticity meaning it has both viscosity and elasticity.
