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A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 9 9 body without maneuvering shape va- rieties because of their high surface tension. In this research, galliumand eutec- tic alloys, ironparticles, andelectrolytes were used to build the “Terminator.” The gallium oxide layer could envelop the MLMD droplet surface by submerg- ing it in hydrochloric acid. Consequent- ly, the droplet could be expanded up to approximately four times its original length in three dimensions due to lower surface tension. As the droplet could be expanded at a large scale, it could act as an intelligent electrical connector at free space. It can move horizontally, imitating the behavior of upright walk- ing amphibians. Permanent magnets control all of the intriguing phenome- na. This system could pave the way for practical applications of multi-freedom actuation in free space and possibly in- telligent biomimetic soft robots in the future. www.english.ipc.cas.cn. OPTICAL PLASTIC BASED ON MUSHROOMS Technologies such as LEDs and solar panels require a surface material that repels dirt, water, and oil but at the same time lets light through. Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swan- son School of Engineering developed a flexible optical plastic that possesses all of those characteristics, with an un- usual design inspired by mushrooms. The team developed a plastic sheet surface with thin and tall nano- structures featuring bigger tops, simi- lar to an Enoki mushroom. The nano- structures are called nano-enoki poly- Magnetic liquidmetal droplet. Courtesy of Liu Jing. Enoki mushrooms inspire new plastic. Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh. ethylene terephthalate (PET). These structures in the coating render the plastic sheet superomniphobic, repel- ling an array of liquids such as milk, water, olive oil, coffee, and ketchup, while preserving a high level of trans- parency. The new plastic also has high haze and high transparency, allowing more light to pass through. However, the light is scattered, making it suit- able for use with LEDs, solar cells, wear- able technology, and flexible lighting. engineering.pitt.edu.