• Question: is there a rubber type material that can get smoother or harder via electric current running through it or it touching something with great force

    Asked by anon-200133 to Martin on 14 Mar 2019.
    • Photo: Martin McCoustra

      Martin McCoustra answered on 14 Mar 2019:

      This is quite an interesting question. If you think about it muscle is rather rubbery and behaves in the way you describe… it expands and contracts are electrical current is applied. We can make plastics (jelly like plastics) that do the same. You probably will be able to find a video by searching on Google. The plastics themselves are relatively simple though we can’t use plastics like polystyrene or polythene to do this.

Comments

  • Photo: Sumit

    Sumit commented on :

    very good question. You also asked this during the LIVE chat, I remember.
    Rubbers are generally insulator (electricity should not pass through rubber; that’s why electrician wear rubber gloves). Again, it may vary from different materials containing rubber, so be CAREFUL. Always check before you do anything with electricity.
    Answering to your specific question: I was searching in google and only found something which might be interesting to you. Have a look https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110606113106.htm