When the fibers are loose, the tiles can move freely like the links of a chain. But when they contract, the tiles lock together into a sturdy.
In brief: Scientists have designed a wearable textile that can go from soft to rigid in an instant and could soon be making its way into medical braces, robotic limbs, and much more. The shape-shifting material, called RoboFabric, was cooked up by a team at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. Taking inspiration from the interlocking scales of pangolins and armadillos, the researchers designed a network of 3D-printed tiles connected by metal fibers running through tiny channels between them.
When the fibers are loose, the tiles can move freely like the links of a chain. But when they contract, the tiles lock together into a sturdy structure that’s over 350 times more rigid.
The team found it could reduce the muscle power needed to lift a weight by up to 40%. This could come in particularly useful for individuals with movement disorders like Parkinson’s, helping stabilize the movement trajectory so there’s less shaking.
