The objects were created using a new method for 3D-printing mechanisms that detect how force is being applied to an object. The structures are made from a single piece of material, meaning they can be rapidly prototyped.
The researchers integrated electrodes into structures made from metamaterials – structures engineered to interact with light in a certain manner – which are divided into a grid of repeating cells. They also created software which allows users to customise these devices.
“Metamaterials can support different mechanical functionalities, but if we create a metamaterial door handle can we also know that the door handle is being rotated and, if so, by how many degrees?” said co-lead author Dr Jun Gong, who has since left MIT to work at Apple. “If you have special sensing requirements, our work enables you to customise a mechanism to meet your needs.”
As metamaterials are made from a grid of cells, when the user applies force to a metamaterial...