Recently, researchers from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics (LICP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully developed China's first adaptive hydrogel biomimetic suction disc. This breakthrough addresses key technological challenges in underwater grasping and fine manipulation, providing crucial technical support for related industrial upgrades.

During the development process, the research team designed a supramolecular hydrogel material that combines excellent softness with high tear resistance, offering a core solution for delicate grasping tasks. Furthermore, using precise 3D printing technology, the team created a suction disc with a specialized structure integrating flexible films and micro-channels. Structural optimization enables the disc to achieve adaptive, close contact with surfaces of varying materials and shapes, resulting in gentle yet stable adhesion.

"Drawing inspiration from the octopus, our primary innovation lies in mimicking the deformation of its tentacles while incorporating a specific structural design for the suction cups," said Wang Xiaolong, a researcher at LICP. "We engineered tiny air channels within the suction disc, allowing it to actively adsorb objects. This enables the handling of ultra-soft items without causing damage."

In the future, this adaptive hydrogel biomimetic suction disc, which possesses independent intellectual property rights, is expected to be flexibly integrated with various robotic arms. Its potential applications span multiple critical fields in China, including deep-sea resource exploration, high-end industrial manufacturing, and precision medical operations. The technology is poised to overcome the limitations of traditional grasping methods in complex environments and drive technological innovation and industrial advancement in related sectors.

(Cover: Adaptive hydrogel biomimetic suction disc. /VCG)