The research team has created SHeaLDS – self-healing light guides for dynamic sensing – which creates damage-resistant soft robots that can self-heal from cuts at room temperature without any external intervention.
In order to ensure the self-healing process takes place correctly, the team developed a process that allowed the robot to identify when it has suffered damage.
To do this, researchers have pioneered a technique using fibre-optic sensors coupled with LED lights capable of detecting minute changes on the surface of the robot. These sensors are combined with a polyurethane urea elastomer that incorporates hydrogen bonds, for rapid healing, and disulfide exchanges, for strength.
“Our lab is always trying to make robots more enduring and agile, so they operate longer with more capabilities,” said Rob Shepherd, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.
“If you make robots operate for a long time, they’re going to accumulate damage...