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    Researchers Engineer a Tougher Fiber

    February 24, 2019, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    NC State University researchers created fibers consisting of a gallium metal core surrounded by an elastic polymer sheath. When placed under stress, the fiber has the strength of the metal core. But when the metal breaks, the fiber doesn’t fail – the polymer sheath absorbs the strain between the breaks in the metal and transfers the stress back to the metal core.
    Credit: Michael Dickey, NC State University

    North Carolina State University researchers have developed a fiber that combines the elasticity of rubber with the strength of a metal, resulting in a tougher material that could be incorporated into soft robotics, packaging materials or next-generation textiles.

    “A good way of explaining the material is to think of rubber bands and metal wires,” says Michael Dickey, correspondin...

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