Abstract: Provided are metal-air scavenger systems that use metal surfaces to harvest energy for powering microelectronic devices; such devices can be attached to exposed metal surfaces and then generate power by electrochemically oxidizing the metal surface. The disclosed devices can be configured to effect relative motion between the device and the metal, thus allowing the device to utilize an entire metal surface to generate power and also allowing the device to feed metal to itself to generate power.

Abstract: Nanolattices exhibit attractive mechanical, energy conversion, and optical properties, but it is challenging to fabricate large nanolattices while maintaining the dense regular nanometre features that enable their properties. In this work, we report a crack-free self-assembly approach for fabricating centimetre-scale nickel nanolattices with a feature size of 100 nm and a grain size of 30 nm. The crack-free areas are 20,000 times larger than prior self-assembled nanolattices and contain 1,000 times the number of unit cells as 3D-printed nanolattices. These nickel nanolattices have a 260 MPa tensile strength, which approaches the theoretical strength limit for porous nickel and is 10 times the strength of prior nanolattices. The self-assembly method and porous metal mechanics reported in this work advances the fabrication and applications of high-strength multifunctional porous materials.

Abstract: A method of repairing a workpiece that comprises a structural material, the method comprising: applying a current to an electrolyte comprising a repair material so as to electroplate the repair material onto a fracture of the workpiece and onto a plating region proximate to the fracture of the workpiece so as to give rise to a repaired workpiece, the plating region defining an exposed area Ae about the fracture, the workpiece defining a cross-section area Am at the fracture, Ae/Am is in the range of from about 10 to about 150, the plating being accomplished such that the healed workpiece exhibits a tensile strength ?U that is within about 20% of a corresponding tensile strength ?M of a corresponding pristine workpiece, and optionally, at least one of the structural material and the repair material comprising at least one metal.

Abstract: A visuotactile sensor, comprising: a deformable membrane; and an imaging train, the deformable membrane allowing at least partial transmission of light therethrough and onto the imaging train such that the imaging train collects light reflected through the membrane by an object on the opposite side of the membrane or contacting the membrane, and the imaging train further configured to collect light indicative of a deformation of the membrane by the object. A method, comprising: with an imaging train, collecting (a) a first light reflected through a deformable membrane by an object proximate to or contacting the deformable membrane and (b) a second light indicative of a deformation of the deformable membrane; and relating the at least one of the first light and the second light to an estimated position of the object, an estimated motion of the object, and an estimated deformation experienced by the membrane.

Abstract: A soft actuator, comprising: a deformable member having a base stiffness; one or more electroadhesive (EA) clutches, the one or more EA clutches being in mechanical communication with the deformable member, and the one or more EA clutches being configured to, when actuated, give rise to a region of relative stiffness within the actuator that is greater than the base stiffness. A method, comprising: in a soft actuator, actuating one or more EA clutches in mechanical communication with a deformable member having a base stiffness, the actuating being performed so as to give rise to one or more regions of relative stiffness within the soft actuator that is greater than the base stiffness; and effecting a bending force within the deformable member such that the deformable member attains a shape, the shape at least partially defined by the actuated one or more EA clutches.

Abstract: Provided are metal-air scavenger systems that use metal surfaces to harvest energy for powering microelectronic devices; such devices can be attached to exposed metal surfaces and then generate power by electrochemically oxidizing the metal surface. The disclosed devices can be configured to effect relative motion between the device and the metal, thus allowing the device to utilize an entire metal surface to generate power and also allowing the device to feed metal to itself to generate power.

Abstract: Provided are adaptive materials that include an electrically conductive matrix material defining a plurality of voids; and an electrolyte disposed in at least some of the voids, the electrolyte comprising at least an ion of a first metal. Also provided are related methods of effecting self-healing in the disclosed materials. Further provided are methods of effecting repeated healing in metallic materials.