New artificial muscle shows 91% recovery, reshapes and heals after damage

Seoul National University researchers developed an artificial muscle using a dielectric elastomer actuator with ferrofluid-based electrodes.

The actuator can be reshaped during operation, split or merged for different motions, and self-heal damaged pathways.

It can also be extracted and reused, retaining about 91% recovery after repeated cycles.

Published in Science Advances, the work could improve adaptability and durability in soft robotics and flexible electronics.