Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a composite material designed for use in robotics, including joints and deployable components, as well as in aerospace and architectural structures. The material, based on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), incorporates both rigid and flexible properties within a single structure, enabling applications that require strength and adaptability.
The team, led by Dong Gi Seong, associate professor in the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, introduced a fabrication method that combines rigid and flexible epoxy resins through a multi-resin dispensing process. This technique allows for precise control of mechanical properties in monolithic FRP structures, addressing limitations in conventional single-resin systems and manual fabrication methods.
The research, published online on June 30, 2025, and scheduled for the October 2025 issue of Composites Part B: Engineering, demonstrates the approach through the fabrication of a triangulated cylindrical origami structure. The composites exhibited a flexural modulus of 6.95 gigapascals (GPa) in rigid sections and 0.66 GPa in foldable sections, with a bending radius of less than 0.5 millimeters. According to the researchers, the material maintained durability and flexibility under repetitive use while enabling a wide range of motions, including extension, compression, bending, twisting, and deployment.
The study highlights the potential of the material in robotic applications where components require both stability and motion. This includes transformer-like robots with deployable limbs, humanoid joints, and power suits combining rigid and soft segments. Beyond robotics, the research points to applications in aerospace components such as deployable solar panels, foldable electronics, lightweight vehicle parts, and compact architectural structures such as shelters.
The researchers noted that the fabrication method could support the development of durable yet lightweight materials that provide alternatives to heavier metal-based systems. Such structures could be applied in adaptive mobility systems, emergency response equipment, and satellite systems requiring efficient storage and deployment.
According to the team, the technology establishes a pathway for robotics and related fields that rely on compact, flexible, and structurally robust materials, laying a foundation for next-generation deployable systems.
