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Jamming with magnetic composites

Author

Listed:
  • Buse Aktaş

    (ETH Zurich
    Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems)

  • Minsoo Kim

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Marc Bäckert

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Gianluca Sicilia

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Gian-Luca Franchini

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Florian Heemeyer

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Simone Gervasoni

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Xiang-Zhong Chen

    (Fudan University
    Yiwu Research Institute of Fudan University)

  • Salvador Pané

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Bradley J. Nelson

    (ETH Zurich)

Abstract

The jamming transition—marked by dramatic changes in mechanical properties, such as stiffness and damping—enables programmable and adaptive structures for robotic applications. This phenomenon, driven by changes in the coupling between individual subunits of an aggregate, can be controlled through external actuation sources. Existing jamming actuation methods, such as applying a vacuum with an airtight envelope, pose significant limitations, as they require the structures to be tethered, limiting reconfigurability and scalability. Here, we introduce an untethered jamming mechanism based on magnetic interactions between soft-ferromagnetic composites. We establish composite design principles to program the magnetization of the subunits, demonstrate linear, planar, and volumetric jamming and shape-locking, and model the magneto-mechanical behavior. This approach contributes to the development of jamming-based materials in which the jamming directions and transition points can be tuned on-the-fly by adjusting the external magnetic field orientation and strength, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Buse Aktaş & Minsoo Kim & Marc Bäckert & Gianluca Sicilia & Gian-Luca Franchini & Florian Heemeyer & Simone Gervasoni & Xiang-Zhong Chen & Salvador Pané & Bradley J. Nelson, 2025. "Jamming with magnetic composites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-63729-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63729-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. V. Trappe & V. Prasad & Luca Cipelletti & P. N. Segre & D. A. Weitz, 2001. "Jamming phase diagram for attractive particles," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6839), pages 772-775, June.
    5. Heng Deng & Kianoosh Sattari & Yunchao Xie & Ping Liao & Zheng Yan & Jian Lin, 2020. "Laser reprogramming magnetic anisotropy in soft composites for reconfigurable 3D shaping," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
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