Harvard researchers develop novel 'smart fluid' that changes its properties
A team of scientists at Harvard University has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of metamaterials by creating a programmable fluid called "metafluid." This innovative substance is capable of dramatically altering its properties, marking the first time a metafluid can switch between Newtonian and non-Newtonian states. Adel Djellouli, a physicist at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), co-authored the study on this new class of fluid.
Unique structure of the newly developed metafluid
Unlike other metamaterials, the newly developed metafluid is not confined to a rigid lattice structure. It consists of tiny rubber-like spheres filled with air and suspended in silicon oil that doesn't compress. These spheres can buckle under pressure to form lens-like half-spheres and return to their original shape when the pressure is removed, thereby altering the fluid's properties. This unique composition allows for a high degree of adaptability and programmability in the metafluid.
Programmable properties and practical applications
The research team aimed to create the metafluid with programmable viscosity, optical properties, and compressibility. To demonstrate its potential uses, the metafluid was used as hydraulic fluid in a robotic gripper. The robot was able to pick up delicate items such as glass bottle and an egg without causing damage due to the metafluid's automatic response to different pressures. This application showcases the fluid's ability to "endow intelligence into a simple robot," according to Djellouli.
Future research and potential applications
The Harvard team plans to further their research by investigating the metafluid's acoustic and thermodynamic properties, common applications of metamaterials. Katia Bertoldi, another co-author of the study, emphasized the vast potential for these scalable, easy-to-produce metafluids. She said the application space for these metafluids is huge, indicating a promising future for this innovative substance in various fields.