Electrically switchable magnetic elastomer

Abstract

The magnetorheologic elastomers (MREs) have emerged as valuable materials in soft robotics, especially on small scales, where their responsive magnetic properties enable precise control and enhanced adaptability. In this paper, we focus on the design, composition, and magnetic properties of a multicomponent electropermanent elastomer (EPE) that can be switched between on and off states by an external magnetic field source. The EPE is composed of two ferromagnetically hard NdFeB particles coupled together with strontium ferrite microparticles (SF-D360) with different magnetic coercivity and remanent flux density. The resulting EPE has a bistable magnetic behavior, enabling the device to be energy efficient. This unique feature positions EPEs as highly efficient alternatives to conventional electromagnetic systems in fields such as robotics, automation and medical devices, where precise magnetic control and low power requirements factors are essential.