journal article·2026-02

One‐Step Printing of Heterogeneous 3D Soft Magnetic Machines

Zhengqing Yang, Liwen Sun, Yufan Xiao, Yan Li, Shuqi Yang, Lingxue Tong, Heyuan Deng, Yongcong Fang, Iek Man Lei, Oncay Yasa, Wenyu Wang

Advanced Materials Technologies· Volume 11· Issue 4
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Abstract

Abstract The ability to integrate materials with heterogeneous properties into a soft magnetic machine is important to expand its applications to various emerging fields. However, the lack of an efficient fabrication method limits the design‐ability of multi‐material soft magnetic machines with complex shapes. Here, a 3D printing strategy is reported to fabricate versatile multi‐material soft magnetic machines with heterogeneous mechanical and magnetic properties. Using a supporting matrix, different elastomeric inks can be co‐printed into 3D architectures with well‐merged interfaces, in a one‐step process. Multi‐material grippers, leapers, and rollers are shown that can perform motion and deformation patterns that are challenging for 2D or single‐material structures. This facile approach expands the material and structural design space of soft magnetic machines for future soft robotic and biomedical applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Advanced Materials and Mechanics · 3D Printing in Biomedical Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Thrust of Smart Manufacturing Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) Nansha Guangzhou Guangdong 511400 P. R. China

Thrust of Robotics and Autonomous Systems Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) Nansha Guangzhou Guangdong 511400 P. R. China

Department of Electromechanical Engineering University of Macau Macau 999078 P. R. China

Department of Mechanical Engineering Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 P. R. China

Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics University of Macau Macau 999078 P. R. China

Thrust of Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) Nansha Guangzhou Guangdong 511400 P. R. China

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