New 3D-printed elastomer advances soft robotics and wearable tech

Developing materials for soft robotics and wearable technologies has taken a significant step forward with the creation of a new 3D-printable elastomer. The elastomer, developed by researchers at EPFL's Soft Materials Laboratory, can transition from rigid to flexible, which was previously difficult to achieve in complex 3D structures.

Esther Amstad, head of the laboratory, elaborates on the innovation, "Historically, elastomers were limited by casting methods that did not allow for varying composition dynamically. Our double network granular elastomers (DNGEs) are breakthrough in this area, permitting precise mechanical property adjustments across small dimensions."

The technology has already been applied to create a prototype 'finger' by Eva Baur, a PhD student. This finger mimics real biological structures with 'bones' and 'flesh', capable of bending and stretching while maintaining enough rigidity to perform tasks.

These DNGEs could revolutionize the design of devices such as soft actuators, sensors, and wearable technologies by eliminating the need for heavy mechanical joints. The research results are detailed in the journal Advanced Materials.

The development process involves creating two separate elastomeric networks. Initially, elastomer microparticles are formed through an oil-in-water emulsion, which are then integrated into a bioprinter-ready ink. After 3D printing, the structure undergoes polymerization to solidify the second network, which enhances the structure's overall toughness and durability.

Amstad points out the practicality of their approach, "Our method uses standard bioprinting technology, making it accessible to anyone with basic equipment."

The potential applications for DNGEs are vast, ranging from motion-guided rehabilitation aids to new types of prosthetics that assist surgeons, and even remote-sensing devices for robotic agriculture or underwater exploration. The team is excited about future developments, including integrating responsive materials and electrical components to create even more dynamic systems.

Research Report:3D Printing of Double Network Granular Elastomers with anisotropic mechanical properties