Chinese test self-printing robots

[cirr]

By Bryant Jordan

Published March 04, 2014

Printing parts for a weapon is one thing – and there’s ample proof-of-concept about to show that 3D printers will only get better at that. But how about a weapon that at least in part builds itself?

Chinese scientists say they have found a way to produce liquid metals that self-assemble into various shapes and forms, according to a report in the London-based technology site The Register. Scientists at Tsinghua University and The Chinese Academy of Sciences say they can use electrical charges to manipulate liquid metal alloys they manufactured.

So far, the alloys have taken on spherical shapes that move and rotate and, by using electrical current, they have caused separate droplets of the metals to fuse together into larger sphere shapes, officials said.

“Such liquid metal transformers and locomotors could provide on-demand use given specific designing,” The Register quotes

from the scientists’ paper.

The Chinese scientists say the technology will eventually lead to creating more complex liquid metal objects, from 3D modeling units to “soft” robots.

Last year Apple filed at least five liquid metal patents that it expects to use in the manufacture of its products.

Chinese test self-printing robots | Fox News

 

[cirr]

Self-forming liquid metal just like a TERMINATOR emerges from China lab

The future's not set. There's no fate but what we make for ourselves – oh

By Shaun Nichols, 21 Feb 2014

Scientists in China say they have developed a way to manipulate liquid metal substances into self-assembling shapes and forms.

The researchers, working out of Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reckon that by applying an electric charge to liquid metal alloys, they could control the behavior of substances and build simple shapes.

Their study found that when presented with an electric current, the alloys took on spherical shapes that could move and rotate. Additionally, the current flow, via copper wire, also caused multiple droplets in a single dish to fuse together into a larger sphere shape – sorta like the terrifying T-1000 assassin reforming in Terminator 2.


Liquid metal reformed ... Does this remind you of anything?
(Click to enlarge slightly. Credit: Lei Sheng, Jie Zhang, Jing Liu)

"Such liquid metal transformers and locomotors could provide on-demand use given specific designing," the researchers wrote in their paper [PDF].

Science fiction no more ... The T-1000

"Importantly, a smart liquid metal machine could be extended to three dimensions when a spatial electrode configuration is adopted."

The team used a 12V supply and non-toxic alloys with room-temperature melting points in water to demonstrate their work; as well as a direct current, the material relies on interactions between the metals and the surface tension of the water.

Scientists believe that the discovery could be the first step in creating more complex liquid metal objects, such as 3D modeling units, electronic components and even liquid "soft" robots. Because the liquid metal alloy material is safe for humans to handle (as opposed to conventional liquid elements, like mercury) and relatively inexpensive to produce and use, the techniques could be adopted for everyday use in science or medicine. ®

Self-forming liquid metal just like a TERMINATOR emerges from China lab • The Register

 

[jkroo]

I think the 3D printer is also diverse for the material is quite different.

 

[shuttler]

Soon many sculptors will lose their jobs

 

[jkroo]

Soon many sculptors will lose their jobs

The artificial things are always precious especially in the art field. I want to see all in one printer that produce everything. May it come true in the future?

 

[shuttler]

The artificial things are always precious especially in the art field. I want to see all in one printer that produce everything. May it come true in the future?

I really dont know how long would it take for them to manufacture 3-D printers with mega size products like these
I suspect that the days are getting nearer than we think

Credit: gb.cri.cn

Credit: yeyoupaihang.com

Credit pic1.huitu.com

Established artists' works will not be affected
The below average sculptors' jobs will struggle to get jobs

 

[jkroo]

Maybe affect the global labor division.

 

[shuttler]

Oh wait!
It's not all doomed for the sculptors
3D printers cannot produce lively sculptures like our Leaders above who were already dead

 

[jkroo]

That will be high high high tech.

 

[cirr]

I really dont know how long would it take for them to manufacture 3-D printers with mega size products like these
I suspect that the days are getting nearer than we think

Credit: gb.cri.cn

The below average sculptors' jobs will struggle to get jobs

 

[shuttler]

This Chairman Mao's statute located at 长沙 橘子洲 Ju Zizhou, Changsha City was made by a sculptor and it is as good as 3D printing

Credit:cn-zjj.com

Credit:blog.voc.com.cn

A clay model of the finishing statue and the master sculptor Li Ming 黎明
Credit:.gtimg.com

Credit: house.people.com.cn

Credit: lvmama.com

Credit: chinanews.com

Credit: mysinchew.com

Credit:.ifeng.com

Credit: news.fengone.com

 

[jkroo]

This Chairman Mao's statute located at 长沙 橘子洲 Ju Zizhou, Changsha City was made by a sculptor and it is as good as 3D printing

Credit:cn-zjj.com

Credit:blog.voc.com.cn

A smaller earth sample of the finishing statue and the master sculptor Li Ming 黎明
Credit:.gtimg.com

Credit: house.people.com.cn

Credit: lvmama.com

Credit: chinanews.com

Credit: mysinchew.com

Credit:.ifeng.com

Credit: news.fengone.com

There is where I am and just tell you Changsha is a city that a Indian engineer ever called a 'developed' city several months ago when he visit a factory based at Changsha. I do have some communications with Indians.
You know I am a hunan mule.