Key Points
- Rice University engineers have discovered a new method to strengthen silicone bonds by precisely controlling the timing of the curing process.
- The method solves the common problem of weak bonds in soft robots and medical devices, which can lead to failure.
- They developed a “curing clock” that predicts the ideal moment to bond silicone layers for maximum strength.
- In tests, the new method created stronger robot parts and improved the adhesion of 3D-printed silicone by over 200%.
Engineers at Rice University have discovered a new method to enhance the strength and durability of silicone-based devices without altering the material itself. Their breakthrough provides a straightforward guide for enhancing everything from soft robots to biomedical devices.
The research, published in Science Advances, addresses a long-standing challenge: how to bond silicone parts together reliably. Silicone is a popular material because it’s flexible and safe for medical use; however, adhering multiple layers of it together permanently can be challenging. If the bond is weak, devices can peel apart or fail, which is a significant issue for soft robots that require repeated stretching and bending.
The problem lies in the curing process, where liquid silicone turns into a solid. Suppose you wait too long to apply an adhesive layer. In that case, the silicone is already fully cured and won’t form a strong chemical bond.
To solve this, the Rice team developed a predictive “clock.” This new method tracks the curing of the silicone by considering both time and temperature. The clock tells engineers the perfect moment to bond the layers—when the material is solid enough to handle but still “fresh” enough to stick together properly.
The team demonstrated that their method is effective in real-world tests. They built air-powered robot parts and found that those bonded at the right time were far stronger and could bend 50% more than those that were overcured.
In another experiment with a 3D printer, they used their clock to time the layers perfectly, improving the bond strength between layers by over 200%. This opens the door to creating stronger, more complex 3D-printed silicone devices.
