Snake Skin Inspired: US Scientists Develop New Material
A group of Colorado researchers have developed a new material. The skin of snakes is used as a basis.
In the course of research, a special liquid has been created, which is layered on the surface, resembling a thin layer of snake skin. This coating resembles a snake scale, allowing you to turn various kinds of surfaces into sliding ones. It is similar to sewing materials.
Scientists plan to use the new development in relation to rubber. They want to use it for cars that cannot tolerate getting wet. After all, every day, various mechanisms - from cars to robots - lose energy due to friction.
To reduce the rates, scientists turned to the features of the structure of snakes. The bodies of these reptiles are soft and capable of taking any shape. Additionally, they move quickly. This is partly possible due to the structural features of the skin.
In many installations, there are parts to which conventional lubricants cannot be applied. For example, portable sensors or robots for underwater work. Scientists have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to change the nature of the surface. And they took advantage of the features of the snakes.
If you look at the snake scales under a microscope, then these are layers of tissue that are stacked on top of each other. The top layer resembles keratin - fragile and tough. Then comes the soft layer. This combination of hardness and softness allows snakeskin to reduce friction without compromising flexibility.
Testing of the new material continues. It is not yet known how long it will take for scientists to move on to applying a "slippery" surface to the joints of real robots. Perhaps this will happen next year.
Previously, OXO reported demonstration of robots for the kitchen.
In the course of research, a special liquid has been created, which is layered on the surface, resembling a thin layer of snake skin. This coating resembles a snake scale, allowing you to turn various kinds of surfaces into sliding ones. It is similar to sewing materials.
Scientists plan to use the new development in relation to rubber. They want to use it for cars that cannot tolerate getting wet. After all, every day, various mechanisms - from cars to robots - lose energy due to friction.
To reduce the rates, scientists turned to the features of the structure of snakes. The bodies of these reptiles are soft and capable of taking any shape. Additionally, they move quickly. This is partly possible due to the structural features of the skin.
In many installations, there are parts to which conventional lubricants cannot be applied. For example, portable sensors or robots for underwater work. Scientists have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to change the nature of the surface. And they took advantage of the features of the snakes.
If you look at the snake scales under a microscope, then these are layers of tissue that are stacked on top of each other. The top layer resembles keratin - fragile and tough. Then comes the soft layer. This combination of hardness and softness allows snakeskin to reduce friction without compromising flexibility.
Testing of the new material continues. It is not yet known how long it will take for scientists to move on to applying a "slippery" surface to the joints of real robots. Perhaps this will happen next year.
Previously, OXO reported demonstration of robots for the kitchen.
