Microscopic analysis of a polymer sample, which was healed from being cut in two and fractured under force in a tensile test, showed that a new fracture had occurred at a location that differed from the original scar. Cutting and tearing to inflict fatal damages to the gripper that are likely to occur before leading to catastrophic failure of the gripper.Piercing the polymer with a needle to replicate damage posed by thorny objects such as broken glass and spiky twigs.By cutting the surface with a scalpel to mimic scratch damage caused by sharp objects or jagged edge.The research team investigated the healing performance of the polymer membrane from various damage sources: These materials enable soft universal grippers to conform to, grasp and handle a wide range of different and irregular shaped objects.Įxperimental results showed that there was no closure or sealing of the damaged polymer at temperatures below 70☌. Soft and flexible materials are typically used for the fabrication of soft robots as they are shock-absorbent and can protect the robot from mechanical impact. The results are reported in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems. Unlike other universal robotic grippers, this proposed self-healing universal gripper can be fully reprocessed and recycled-something that is in contrast to the traditional silicones currently used in soft robotic grippers, which offer poor recyclability and a limited lifetime. Meanwhile, autonomous integrated heating achieves rapid healing in approximately nine minutes at the desired temperature of 70☌. Developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the elastomer-a special class of polymer with unique properties such as elasticity and toughness-is able to self-heal from macroscopic damages, including scratches and punctures sustained from direct contact with sharp objects or surfaces.Ī pressure sensor acts as the damage detection early warning system. A self-healing elastomer forms the flexible and deformable membrane of the gripper.
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