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International Journal of Smart and Nano Materials Volume 13, 2022 - Issue 2
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Research Article

Variable stiffness wires based on magnetorheological liquid metals

Xiangbo Zhoua CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China;b School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW, AustraliaView further author information
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Jian Shua CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Hu Jina CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Hongtai Rena CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Gang Maa CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Ning Gonga CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Du-an Gea CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Juan Shia CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Shi-Yang Tangc Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UKCorrespondence[email protected]
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Guolin Yuna CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
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Hongda Lub School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW, AustraliaView further author information
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Shuai Donga CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCorrespondence[email protected]
View further author information
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Xiangpeng Lid College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, ChinaView further author information
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Shiwu Zhanga CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaView further author information
&
Weihua Lib School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, NSW, AustraliaCorrespondence[email protected]
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Pages 232-243 | Received 29 Jan 2022, Accepted 07 Apr 2022, Published online: 29 Apr 2022

Figures & data

Figure 1. Variable stiffness wires based on LMMS. (a) Schematics showing the process for preparing the LMMS. (b) Schematic illustrating the stiffness changing mechanism of variable stiffness wire. (c) Stretching of variable stiffness wire in the energized state (in a strain of 400%). Scale bar, 1 cm. (d) Compressing of variable stiffness wires under non-magnetic and magnetic environment. Scale bar, 1 mm.

Figure 1. Variable stiffness wires based on LMMS. (a) Schematics showing the process for preparing the LMMS. (b) Schematic illustrating the stiffness changing mechanism of variable stiffness wire. (c) Stretching of variable stiffness wire in the energized state (in a strain of 400%). Scale bar, 1 cm. (d) Compressing of variable stiffness wires under non-magnetic and magnetic environment. Scale bar, 1 mm.

Figure 2. Characterization of electrical conductivity and variable stiffness properties of wires. (a) Changes in the resistance with respect to stretch length. (b) Changes of the resistance with respect to magnetic flux density at different ratios of LM to Fe particles. (c) Changes of the stiffness with respect to magnetic flux density at different ratios of LM to Fe particles. Inset: setup of radial stiffness change measurement. (d) Changes of the stretchability of wires at different magnetic flux densities (applied weights of 50 g). Inset: setup of axial stiffness change measurement.

Figure 2. Characterization of electrical conductivity and variable stiffness properties of wires. (a) Changes in the resistance with respect to stretch length. (b) Changes of the resistance with respect to magnetic flux density at different ratios of LM to Fe particles. (c) Changes of the stiffness with respect to magnetic flux density at different ratios of LM to Fe particles. Inset: setup of radial stiffness change measurement. (d) Changes of the stretchability of wires at different magnetic flux densities (applied weights of 50 g). Inset: setup of axial stiffness change measurement.

Figure 3. Examples of applications of the various stiffness wires. (a) Photographs of the shape maintaining ability of the LMMS wire under a magnetic field; (b) Photographs of on/off control of the circuit based on the variable stiffness wire; (c) Changes in the circuit current when pressure is applied on the wire. (d) Photographs of soft gripper based on various stiffness wires. Scale bars, 1 cm.

Figure 3. Examples of applications of the various stiffness wires. (a) Photographs of the shape maintaining ability of the LMMS wire under a magnetic field; (b) Photographs of on/off control of the circuit based on the variable stiffness wire; (c) Changes in the circuit current when pressure is applied on the wire. (d) Photographs of soft gripper based on various stiffness wires. Scale bars, 1 cm.

Figure 4. Characterization of mechanical properties of Ga-based LMMS wires. Stress–strain curves of the solid-state Ga-based LMMS wires with three different mass ratios under (a) tension and (b) compression. (c) Stress–strain curves of the liquid-state LMMS wires within magnetic fields of 0 mT and 300 mT under compression. The mass ratio is 1.5. (d) Stress–strain curves of the liquid-state LMMS wires with mass ratios of 1.5 and 3 under compression. The magnetic field is 300 mT. (e) Photographs showing disconnection and self-healing of the circuit based on the Ga-based LMMS wire. Scale bar, 1 cm.

Figure 4. Characterization of mechanical properties of Ga-based LMMS wires. Stress–strain curves of the solid-state Ga-based LMMS wires with three different mass ratios under (a) tension and (b) compression. (c) Stress–strain curves of the liquid-state LMMS wires within magnetic fields of 0 mT and 300 mT under compression. The mass ratio is 1.5. (d) Stress–strain curves of the liquid-state LMMS wires with mass ratios of 1.5 and 3 under compression. The magnetic field is 300 mT. (e) Photographs showing disconnection and self-healing of the circuit based on the Ga-based LMMS wire. Scale bar, 1 cm.

Data availability statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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