And that’s why researchers at the McCormick School of Engineering are working on something that they call “rubber band electronics.” These electronics can stretch to over 200% of their original size, all while retaining a suitable level of functionality and conductivity. They achieved this by stretching a highly porous 3D structure (polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS) to three times its original size. They then filled the pores with EGaIn liquid metal. That allows for consistent electrical flow, even when the material is “excessively stretched.”

Current “stretchable” electronics are only able to stretch about 50%, so this over 200% stretch would be a monumental breakthrough in the field. There are “many potential applications [that] require a device to stretch like a rubber band,” said researcher Yonggang Huang. “With that level of stretchability we could see medical devices integrated into the human body.”

[Source]

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Leave it to people who either have too much time on their hands or are just too enthusiastic about creating weapons of minor destruction. Bearing some resemblance to ancient implements of war, what you see here is the giant Slingshot Cannon. It weighs about 200 pounds and is powerful enough to destroy a small car. With a giant rubber band.

Last year, the inventor made a little toy-sized model that was fully functional with its 8mm steel balls, but that was just a destructive little toy. This year’s model is ten times bigger. And thus, it takes on ten times the size when it comes to its ammunition too, stepping up to 80mm balls that can travel up to 200 meters. This looks like something that deserves to be on Deadliest Warrior, even if it’s not a historic weapon at all.

Power comes from six full Thera Band Gold straps per side, providing 72 times the power of regular “hunterbands” that you would find on something like Bart Simpson’s slingshot. There’s a winch to wind up that power and the cannon is height adjustable to give you better accuracy and range. Yes, it’s really just a big toy for a big boy, but you can destroy a beer keg and a car with this “toy.” Awesome.

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