A Robotic Slime That Could One Day Save Your Life [Video]

From Interesting Engineering:

In a world where robotics and medical innovation converge, a game-changing hero emerges: a slime. This isn’t your typical gooey substance; it’s a fluid-based soft robot, a blend of polymers, borax, and alcohol, capable of shifting between liquid and solid states through viscoelasticity. Tiny neodymium particles grant it magnetic control, allowing it to morph, move, and adapt at will.

But what makes this slime extraordinary is its potential to save lives. It navigates intricate spaces, stretches seven times its size, and requires no preset configurations. In medical scenarios, it can encase harmful objects, buying crucial time until professionals intervene. Its versatility extends to drug delivery and aiding surgeries, all while healing itself due to its robust hydrogen bonds.

Though it may sound like science fiction, researchers are actively exploring this slime’s limitless possibilities. With its unique blend of flexibility, adaptability, and navigation, it holds the promise of transforming healthcare and addressing critical challenges, bridging the gap between imagination and reality.