Harvard scientists design elephant-inspired 3D-printed filaments for soft robotics

Harvard researchers developed a rotational multimaterial 3D-printing method for helical filaments made of active liquid crystal elastomer and passive elastomer.

The printed structures can bend, twist, and contract when heated, enabling preprogrammed shape-morphing behavior.

Prototype devices include soft grippers and filters, pointing to applications in delicate robotics, fluid control, and biomedical tools.

The approach offers a scalable path to printable artificial muscles for soft robotics.