A team from Harvard has developed a 3D printing method capable of creating filaments as thin as a human hair. These threads have a curious property: they bend and contract when heated, mimicking the behavior of a real muscle. The technique opens the door to objects that move without motors, from adjustable filters to robotic grippers, with applications in the home and medicine.
How the printing of self-moving filaments works 🧬
The process uses a special ink that responds to temperature changes. By printing filaments with capillary thickness, scientists managed to make them contract or bend in a controlled manner when heat is applied. This eliminates the need for motors or gears in small devices. The technique, detailed in a recent study, allows for the fabrication of structures with predictable movements, useful for grippers that hold fragile objects or filters that change their porosity depending on temperature.
Your sofa will move on its own, but not to bring you a beer 🛋️
Finally, science gives us what we always asked for: objects that move without us having to get up. That said, don't expect your chair to bring you the remote control. For now, these artificial muscles are more for the lab than the living room. But imagine a coffee filter that adjusts itself with heat, or a robotic gripper that doesn't crush your french fries. At least, something in your house will move, even if it's just to annoy you.