A research team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a flexible, remotely activated material that moves in multiple ways. The material, which can be 3D printed, comprises soft silicon embedded with magnetized iron particles. The direction of magnetic field used to magnetize the particles can be changed during printing, giving each part of the material the ability to move independently of the other parts in response to a magnetic field. The material has multiple potential applications, including robotic surgery and drug delivery.

Click here to learn more about the research on Nature.