Researchers develop a smart material that enables robots to repair themselves if they fail

Researchers in Singapore have developed a smart foam that enables robots to sense nearby objects and repair themselves if they become damaged, just like human skin.

The synthetic nerve foam, known as IFOM, is a highly flexible polymer made from a fluoropolymer with a surface-reducing compound.
This enables the spongy material to easily assemble into a single unit if it is cut, said the researchers at the National University of Singapore.

“The molecules of the material converge within the polymer matrix upon pressure, which changes its electrical properties,” explained lead researcher Benjamin T. He added that this change can be monitored through electrodes connected to a computer that tells the robot what to do.

“When I bring my finger close to the sensor, you can see that it measures my electric field and responds according to my touch,” he added.

This feature enables the robot’s hand to monitor the amount and direction of the applied force, which can make the robot more intelligent and interactive.

Te said Evom is the first of its kind to combine the properties of self-healing, a sense of proximity and pressure. He and his team hope that, after spending two years developing the material, it will be in practical use within five years.

“It can also allow prosthetic users to better use the prosthetic hand to grasp objects,” he said.