Dual Latches Mediated Snapping and Launching of Magneto-elastic Gels

Natural organisms have developed integrated latch-mediated spring actuation systems (LaMSA) that consist of multiple latches or springs to enhance power output and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. It is appealing yet largely unexplored in engineered materials due to the complexity of integrating multiple components into a single material platform. Here we report a dual-latched magneto-elastic gel device capable of selectively activating latches to mediate energy flow and power output based on specific actuation requirements. The differential deswelling across the thickness acts as the motor to load the elastic energy into the gel, which is then released via the snap-through instability once the loading reaches the geometric latch controlled critical threshold. Activation of the second magnetic latch delays the snapping onset beyond its initial threshold, leading to a power amplified snap-through instability as well as a bifurcation instability. Additionally, this integrated LaMSA device possesses an untethered anchoring mechanism, enabling the device to launch in arbitrary directions from the substrate, driven by the energy released during snapping.