WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. engineers have developed a device that is not quite a robot and not quite a computer, but has characteristics of both.
The study published in the latest edition of Nature Communications described a structure inspired by octopuses, which can sense, compute and respond without any centralized processing.
"We call this 'soft tactile logic' and have developed a series of prototypes demonstrating its ability to make decisions at the material level, where the sensor is receiving input, rather than relying on a centralized, semiconductor-based logic system," said the paper's co-corresponding author Michael Dickey, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University.
The octopuses have both a centralized brain and neuronal structures throughout their arms, raising the possibility that the arms can 'make decisions' based on sensory input, without direct instruction from the brain, according to Dickey.
The researchers mixed pigments that change color at different temperatures into a soft, stretchable silicone form.
Also, the pigmented silicone contains channels that are filled with metal that is liquid at room temperature, creating a squishy wire nervous system.
The structure has a tunable means of sensing touch and strain, since pressing or stretching the silicone deforms the liquid metal, which increases its electrical resistance. It raises its temperature and thus triggers color change.
In addition, touching the silicone in one spot creates a different response than touching in two spots and in this way, the system carries out simple logic in response to touch.
"This is a proof of concept that demonstrates a new way of thinking about how we can engineer decision-making into soft materials," said Dickey.
The new technology holds promise for use in a variety of applications, from soft robotics to prosthetic devices.
The researchers are currently exploring ways to make more complex soft circuits, inspired by the sophisticated sensors and actuators found in biological systems.
