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. 2016 Dec;28(46):10142-10148.
doi: 10.1002/adma.201602580. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Variable Stiffness Fiber with Self-Healing Capability

Alice Tonazzini  1 , Stefano Mintchev  1 , Bryan Schubert  1 , Barbara Mazzolai  2 , Jun Shintake  1 , Dario Floreano  1
Affiliations

Variable Stiffness Fiber with Self-Healing Capability

Alice Tonazzini et al. Adv Mater. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

A variable stiffness fiber made of silicone and low melting point alloys quickly becomes >700 times softer and >400 times more deformable when heated above 62 °C. It shows remarkable self-healing properties and can be clamped, knitted, and bonded, as shown in a foldable multi-purpose drone, a wearable cast for bone injuries, and a soft multi-directional actuator.

Keywords: low melting point alloys; self-healing; soft actuators; variable stiffness; wearable devices.

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