In a path-breaking work, scientists have developed a shape-shifting metallic robot that can alter between liquid and solid states to navigate constricted environments. The robot can switch states without compromising its strength. Engineer Chengfeng Pan of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in China led the research. The team used gallium, a soft metal that can be melted between fingers. They infused magnetic particles within the gallium matrix and created a “magnetoactive solid-liquid phase transitional machine” which can change phase under the inductive effect of an alternating magnetic field. Such a shape-shifting material can potentially revolutionize the biomedical field, especially in drug delivery and removing foreign objects.
Source: https://www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(22)00693-2