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Media - 2026년

Eco-Degradable Soft Surgical Robots: From Sterilization and Multimodal Sensing to Compost Degradation

What if surgical robots could work reliably during surgery—and then safely return to the environment after use?


A research team at Seoul National University has developed an eco-degradable, sterilizable soft surgical robot platform that combines soft, tissue-compatible polymer structures with transient tactile and temperature sensors.


Designed for next-generation disposable surgical tools, this platform demonstrates reliable performance across the full clinical lifecycle: ethylene oxide sterilization before use, repeated pneumatic actuation during operation, real-time multimodal sensing, short-term biocompatibility, and compostable end-of-life degradation.


This work presents a new approach to sustainable surgical robotics, where medical devices can support safe and functional tissue interaction while reducing the environmental burden of single-use surgical tools.


Advanced Functional Materials (2026)

Laser-Triggerable Elastomeric Composites for Soft Electronics and Robotics

We developed a laser-triggerable silicone elastomer composite for transient electronics and transformable soft robotics.

The composite integrates photothermal Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a thermally activated fluoride generator (DPI-HFP), enabling rapid thermochemical decomposition upon femtosecond laser irradiation.

The system demonstrates remote, on-demand liquefaction under low-power laser exposure while maintaining excellent stretchability and mechanical robustness before triggering.

We further demonstrated applications in secure stretchable electronic systems and shape-shifting soft robotic actuators with remotely reconfigurable motion.

This work presents a promising pathway toward remotely controllable transient electronics and adaptive soft robotic systems.

Soft Science 6, 47 (2026)

Dual-Mode Magnetic Elastomer for On-Demand Motion and Degradation

We developed a dual-mode magnetic elastomer that can both move and degrade through magnetic-field switching.


Driven by DC and AC magnetic field modes, the material enables remote soft actuation and rapid degradation while maintaining high stretchability (>460%).


We showcased its potential in a magnetically controlled pipe-cleaning soft robot and a transient switch for selective LED control.


This work presents a promising pathway toward mission-completing soft robots, secure transient electronics, and lifecycle-aware smart materials.


Advanced Functional Materials (2026)

Biodegradable Yet Million-Cycle Durable Soft Robotic Fingers

We developed fully biodegradable soft robotic fingers that integrate biodegradable structures with transient electronic components.


The system demonstrates exceptional durability, operating for over 1 million actuation cycles, while integrating multimodal sensors (curvature, strain, tactile, temperature, humidity, pH) and active components such as heaters, electrical stimulators, and drug delivery modules.


After use, the robot and its electronics degrade under composting conditions, and the resulting materials were shown to support plant growth.


This work demonstrates a promising pathway toward zero-waste soft robotics and sustainable electronic systems.


Nature Sustainability (2026)