Following a visit by Troy Baker to Ljubljana, Lucija Drempetić (Jožef Stefan Institute) and Arne Geldof (University of Ljubljana) continued their collaboration during their secondment at the BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. During their stay, they worked closely with local researchers to develop experimental skills in the mechanical characterization of soft materials – an essential aspect of the study of magnetoactive elastomers (MAE).
For Lucija, this experience enabled her to combine her background in materials synthesis with newly acquired characterization techniques. This provided valuable insights into the internal structure of MAEs, supporting the development of improved materials for future applications in soft robotics.
Figure 1 Lucija Drempetić performing mechanical characterization of magnetoactive elastomer samples using a universal testing machine.
For Arne, mechanical testing formed a key step in the complete characterization of sensing structures embedded in MAEs. His experiments, carried out in collaboration with Troy, contribute to the ongoing integration of optical sensing into magnetic soft materials.
Figure 2 Arne Geldof preparing samples in the silicone laboratory at the BioRobotics Institute and mounting them on a mechanical testing machine for further characterization.
Overall, the secondment provided an important opportunity to expand technical expertise, deepen collaboration, and open new directions for research within the MAESTRI doctoral network.
