Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Composites consisting of magnetic fillers in polymers and elastomers enable new types of applications in soft robotics, reconfigurable actuation and sensorics. In particular, soft-bodied robots emerge as the closest synthetic system analogous to living organisms mimicking their mechanical behavior and going beyond in performance. We will introduce lightweight, durable, untethered and ultrafast soft-bodied robots that can walk, swim, levitate, transport cargo, and perform collaborative tasks being driven using magnetic far fields [1,2] and near fields [3]. Reconfigurable magnetic origami actuators [2] can be equipped with ultrathin magnetosensitive e-skins [4], which help to assess the magnetic state of the actuator (magnetized vs. non-magnetized), decide on its actuation pattern and control sequentiality and quality of the folding process.
Magnetic composites can be readily used to realise not only actuators but also magnetic field sensors. We demonstrate that printed magnetoelectronics can be stretchable, skin-conformal, capable of detection in low magnetic fields and withstand extreme mechanical deformations [5,6]. We feature the potential of our skin-conformal sensors in augmented reality settings [7,8], where a sensor-functionalized finger conducts remote and touchless control of virtual objects manageable for scrolling electronic documents and zooming maps under tiny permanent magnet [5].
Furthermore, we put forth technology to realise magnetic field sensors, which can be printed and self-heal upon mechanical damage [9]. This opens exciting perspectives for magnetoelectronics in smart wearables, interactive printed electronics. Furthermore, this research motivates further explorations towards the realisation of eco-sustainable magnetoelectronics. For the latter, we will discuss biocompatible and biodegradable magneto sensitive devices, which can help to minimise electronic waste and bring magnetoelectronics to new application fields in medical implants and health monitoring.

[1] X. Wang et al., Untethered and ultrafast soft-bodied robots. Communications Materials 1, 67 (2020).
[2] M. Ha et al., Reconfigurable magnetic origami actuators with on-board sensing for guided assembly. Adv. Mater. 33, 2008751 (2021).
[3] M. Richter et al., Locally addressable energy efficient actuation of magnetic soft actuator array systems. Advanced Science 2302077 (2023).
[4] G. S. Canon Bermudez et al., Magnetosensitive e-skins for interactive devices. Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2007788 (2021).
[5] M. Ha et al., Printable and stretchable giant magnetoresistive sensors for highly compliant and skin-conformal electronics. Adv. Mater. 33, 2005521 (2021).
[6] E. S. Oliveros Mata et al., Dispenser printed bismuth-based magnetic field sensors with non-saturating large magnetoresistance for touchless interactive surfaces. Adv. Mater. Technol. 7, 2200227 (2022).
[7] J. Ge et al., A bimodal soft electronic skin for tactile and touchless interaction in real time. Nature Communications 10, 4405 (2019).
[8] G. S. Canon Bermudez et al., Electronic-skin compasses for geomagnetic field driven artificial magnetoception and interactive electronics. Nature Electronics 1, 589 (2018).
[9] P. Makushko et al., Flexible magnetoreceptor with tunable intrinsic logic for on-skin touchless human-machine interfaces. Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2101089 (2021).
[9] R. Xu et al., Self-healable printed magnetic field sensors using alternating magnetic fields. Nature Communications 13, 6587 (2022).