A study published in the journal Nature describes the creation of a programmable liquid called “metaridin” that can change its compressibility, optical behavior and viscosity. In particular, it is possible to switch between Newtonian and non-Newtonian states, which has not been seen before in such materials. 24 Channels.

More about “smart liquid”

Unlike traditional metamaterials with a fixed lattice structure, this new creation consists of tiny rubber spheres suspended in silicone oil. These spheres filled with air are distorted under pressure, change the properties of the liquid. For example, they can focus or block light depending on their situation.

Unlike solid metamaterials, metafluids have a unique ability to flow and conform to the shape of their container. Our goal was to create a metafluid that not only has these remarkable properties but also provides a platform for programming viscosity, compressibility, and optical properties.
– says Katya Bertholdi, co-author of the study.

Material testing

The researchers put together a convincing demonstration of the material’s properties. The test was seemingly simple: The robot had to pick up fragile objects like glass bottles and eggs without breaking them.

Thanks to metafluid, which automatically reacts to different pressures of different objects without the need for additional programming or external control, Robotic catcher passed the test successfully. Other materials, such as traditional hydraulic fluid, cannot do this.

It is worth noting that this success is a significant leap in the field of materials science. The researchers aim to study additional properties of the metafluid they created, including its acoustic and thermodynamic properties.

Due to its scalability and ease of production, the potential applications of this innovative material are wide and diverse, promising further advances in various fields of science and technology.