Scientists at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have developed a magnetic "metasheet" that can move objects and liquids without the need for robot arms or grippers.

The device is a flexible sheet made of elastic polymer, embedded with magnetic microparticles. It features a kirigami pattern of tessellating triangles, which enhances its flexibility, allowing it to deform as needed.

Figure 1. The metasheet demonstrates its ability to move objects – in this case, rotating Petri dishes

The concept behind the metasheet is that by manipulating a magnetic field beneath it, different areas can be made to bubble up or down. For example, to create a dip, the magnetic field can attract the particles in that section, while a hill can be formed by making that area repellent. The system is highly responsive, reacting to changes in the magnetic field in as little as two milliseconds. Figure 1 shows The metasheet demonstrates its ability to move objects – in this case, rotating Petri dishes.

“You can actually make the surface of the metasheet move like a wave by controlling the direction of the magnetic field,” said Jie Yin, co-corresponding author of the study. “Adjusting the strength of the magnetic field determines how much the wave rises or falls.”

Using this mechanism, the metasheet can be remotely controlled to move objects by raising and lowering different areas. The team demonstrated this ability with a variety of non-magnetic objects, including small beads, a glass slide, a wooden plate, a leaf, and even water droplets using a superhydrophobic version of the material. In each case, the objects were moved to a desired location through specific sequences of magnetic control.

The researchers believe this method is ideal for moving objects that may be too fragile or have shapes unsuitable for robot arms, grippers, claws, or other traditional systems. Their next steps involve scaling the approach down, and they also foresee potential applications beyond this.

“We’re also interested in how this approach could be used to create haptic technologies, with potential applications ranging from gaming to accessibility devices,” said Yin.

Source:NCSU

Cite this article:

Janani R (2024), Magnetic "Metasheet" Material Can Move Objects Like a Conveyor Belt, AnaTechmaz, pp. 79