Robots are getting a new mechanical overhaul with the use of magnetic fields to control their movements. Scientists from the North Carolina State University are developing ways to create soft robots with more fluid robotic movements. The team of scientists has made use of magnetic fields to control microparticle chains embedded in soft robots. An elastic polymer thin film was created by combining iron microparticles into a liquid polymer mixture and applying magnetic fields to cause the microparticles to form synchronized chains. The elastic polymer thin film, with the aligned chains of magnetic fields, is left behind when the whole mixture is dried.

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