With a bit of voltage, a new fiber can go from firm to flexible in just a few seconds. The thread may not seem like much as first glance, but its versatility make it a promising new component for a number of applications, from rehabilitation to robotics. Developed by researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the thread consists of a metal core encased in a silicon pipe. Heat causes the core to melt and the thread assumes the properties of the silicon layer, bending and flexing as needed within about 10 seconds. When the thread is cooled again, the metal core solidifies and holds its new shape.
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