"Smart cloth that can shapeshift on demand could open up a range of applications, but integrating magnetics into the thin fibres required for weaving has proven tricky. Now, researchers have developed a way to melt soft magnetics into fibres similar to the ones used in the industrial production of clothes. These fibres allowed the researchers to build fabric patches that can 'breathe', gloves that can transmit tactile sensations, and 'fingertips' for robots that allow them to pick up soft, squishy objects without harming them."
"Researchers have come up with a way to weave fabric from fibres that can be controlled using magnetic fields. You have full access to this article via your institution. They hope this work will allow designers to share touch-based information across the world and help build reactive wearables for video games, as well as giving robots a soft touch. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-03708-y"
A method melts soft magnetic material into fibres compatible with industrial textile production, producing thin, weaveable strands that respond to external magnetic fields. Fabrics woven from these fibres can change shape on demand and perform functions such as 'breathing' patches, gloves that transmit tactile sensations, and robotic fingertips that handle delicate, squishy objects without damage. Magnetic actuation enables remote, reversible deformation and localized control across woven structures. Applications include haptic communication between designers, reactive wearable interfaces for gaming, and soft robotic end-effectors. The approach bridges magnetic functionality with scalable textile manufacturing, facilitating integration of active behaviour into conventional cloth.
Read at Nature
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]