Hardware Podcasts

214. 3D Printing Robot Muscles

The Next Byte Podcast · 11 Mar 2025 · 18m

What this episode covers

The hosts discuss research from Harvard and the Department of Energy on 3D printing liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) to create programmable 'robot muscles.' They explain how aligning liquid crystals via specific nozzle geometries and printing parameters allows the material to contract predictably when heated. The conversation highlights the use of in-situ X-ray microbeam analysis to optimize these parameters, effectively creating a 'recipe' for reliable soft robotic actuators. The hosts also briefly touch on the broader implications for composite materials and aerospace manufacturing, mentioning Ed Mayer and Machino Labs.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Mouser Electronics, Harvard, Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Lab, Machino Labs, Boeing, Airbus
Also
Ed Mayer

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