Meta Fluid with Mind-Bending Properties: Harvard Scientists Develop a Programmable Smart Liquid

Harvard's metafluid: a brand-new universe in which fluids may change their color and form at will.

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Unveiled: In Harvard's metafluid, the elastomer spheres redefine flexibility by adapting under pressure.

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[{"selector":"#anim-125246ca-c8a8-40f3-9ef8-33bc90e8abb2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-6.680749972473771%, -12.41585349368583%) scale(0.7512437810945274)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77982b90-1ea7-400c-9b20-40ca3f42334c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] No sensors are required: This intelligent liquid self-adjusts, ushering in a new age in robotics.

Harvard's metafluid blurs the boundary between solid and liquid phases, going from opaque to crystal transparent.

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Under pressure, the metafluid changes state, smoothly moving between non-Newtonian and Newtonian states.

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[{"selector":"#anim-83679ee0-5334-483f-9daa-2e8f7e214d0a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(7.582359860448764%, 12.437810795823824%) scale(0.7512437810945274)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-513c60a7-7159-47ca-974f-535e5735e154","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This metafluid is a material science breakthrough with countless potential uses, ranging from dynamic optics to smart dampers.

Scientists at Harvard push the boundaries with a metafluid that combines optics and mechanics.

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Robotic accuracy without complexity made possible by Harvard's metafluid's adaptive capabilities.

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[{"selector":"#anim-9d3defc5-bbda-48bc-b56c-edef85a0bf24 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-12.414899528768755%, 12.437810795823824%) scale(0.7512437810945274)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83e6fa11-d08b-4188-b3ba-73a91e642823","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Unveiled: The metafluid developed at Harvard lays the groundwork for future developments in adaptable materials.

[{"selector":"#anim-a6afee47-cbfc-4ed6-90f1-03eef779d19e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] More Stories Learn More