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A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), has developed a groundbreaking wearable fabric that boasts the flexibility of cloth but can stiffen on demand, promising significant advancements in medical devices and soft robotics.
Dubbed RoboFabric, this innovative material is a product of geometric design, 3D printing, and robotic control. The versatile fabric can be quickly fashioned into various devices, such as medical supports or soft robotic components, including limbs for drones. An example of its application is an elbow support designed to assist individuals in carrying heavier loads. Additionally, a wrist support prototype aims to stabilise joints, benefiting those with conditions like Parkinson’s Disease by reducing tremors.
RoboFabric draws inspiration from nature, specifically the interlocking scales of pangolins and armadillos, which form protective shells. The creation process begins with an advanced algorithm that designs an interlocking system of tiles. These 3D-printed tiles are connected via metal fibres running through tiny channels, or by an external soft case, which stiffens under constant negative air pressure.
When these fibres contract, the tiles interlock, significantly increasing the material’s rigidity – over 350 times its original state. This mechanism enhances the fabric’s strength and stability, making it suitable for various demanding applications.
According to research published in Advanced Materials, RoboFabric can reduce human muscle activity by up to 40% when assisting joints during load lifting. This significant reduction highlights its potential in medical applications. Lead scientist, Nanyang Assistant Professor Wang Yifan from the NTU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, envisions future uses in customisable limb supports that can replace conventional plaster casts. These supports would offer flexibility and ease of use, becoming rigid only when necessary.
To create customised support, a 3D scan of the patient’s limb is processed by proprietary software, which dissects the scan into a series of geometric tiles that can be 3D-printed in an hour. These tiles are then threaded with metal fibres connected to an electric device, allowing for quick adjustments.
Adjunct Associate Professor Loh Yong Joo, Head and Senior Consultant at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), sees great potential in RoboFabric. He suggests it could benefit individuals with joint injuries by safely adjusting movement ranges during recovery and supporting those with upper limb motor weakness, such as post-stroke patients, in performing functional tasks. Additionally, it could stabilise movements for Parkinson’s patients, potentially extend to knee applications, and serve as a stabilising orthosis to improve gait and prevent falls.
RoboFabric’s utility extends beyond medical applications. The material has been successfully tested in robotics, as detailed in a paper published in Science Robotics. The research team demonstrated a tiny robot made of wave-shaped tiles that can stiffen and soften on demand. This capability allows the robot to climb like a worm, swim in water, and carry small loads, making it ideal for exploration and rescue missions in complex terrains.
Another application involves using RoboFabric in drones. When formed into a gripper, it can pick up items when stiffened and release them when relaxed. This gripper also serves as a shock-absorbing pad for hard landings, enhancing the drone’s functionality without affecting its flight when the grippers are soft and folded.
The NTU team is exploring partnerships with industry leaders interested in deploying this Singaporean innovation in healthcare and robotics. The research project has received support from the Manufacturing, Trade and Connectivity (MTC) Individual Research Grant and the Young Individual Research Grant, managed by Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
