A team of engineers at Rice University and Kyung Hee University has developed a soft, shape-shifting mechanical metasurface capable of responding to touch, sensing its own movements, and visually communicating changes in real time. The research was published in Science Advances.
The Technology in Brief
The metasurface consists of a 6-by-6 array of soft elastomeric pixels controlled by electromagnets, allowing over 10^30 possible surface configurations. It uses magnetic levitation to morph rapidly into shapes such as waves, ripples, and checkerboard patterns, and can even mimic biological processes like heart contractions.
Embedded inertial measurement unit sensors monitor local surface tilt and reconstruct overall shape without external cameras. A 7-by-7 RGB LED array changes color based on surface shape and movement, creating a dynamic 3D display. The system can guide water droplets into different letters by dynamically reshaping.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
Controlling magnetic deformation in real time was a major challenge due to the strong forces when magnets are close. The team developed an analytical model that predicts the voltage needed for a shape, reducing computation times from minutes to seconds.
Looking Ahead
The technology could be used in tactile educational tools, soft robotics, wearable systems, augmented and virtual reality interfaces, and assistive technologies for people with visual impairments.
"The system can guide water droplets into different letters by dynamically reshaping."
Support
The work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, the Rice ENRICH Office, and the Rice Space Institute.