Recent advances in magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) have posed the question on whether the combination of both soft- and hard-magnetic particles may open new routes to design versatile multifunctional actuators. Here, we conceptualise ultra-soft hybrid MREs (≈1–10 kPa stiffness) combining experimental and computational approaches. First, a comprehensive experimental characterisation is performed. The results unravel that the magneto-mechanical performance of hybrid MREs can be optimised by selecting an adequate mixing ratio between particles. Then, a multi-physics computational framework provides insights into the synergistic magneto-mechanical interactions at the microscale. Soft particles amplify the magnetisation and hard particles contribute to torsional actuation. Our numerical results suggest that the effective response of hybrid MREs emerges from these intricate interactions. Overall, we uncover exciting possibilities to push the frontiers of MRE solutions. These are demonstrated by simulating a bimorph beam that provides actuation flexibility either enhancing mechanical bending or material stiffening, depending on the magnetic stimulation.

磁流变弹性体 (MRE) 的最新进展提出了一个问题，即软磁颗粒和硬磁颗粒的组合是否可以开辟设计多功能多功能致动器的新途径。在这里，我们结合实验和计算方法概念化了超软混合 MRE（≈1-10 kPa 刚度）。首先，进行全面的实验表征。结果表明，可以通过选择适当的颗粒混合比来优化混合 MRE 的磁机械性能。然后，多物理计算框架提供了对微观尺度上协同磁机械相互作用的见解。软颗粒放大磁化强度，硬颗粒有助于扭转驱动。我们的数值结果表明，混合 MRE 的有效响应来自这些复杂的相互作用。总体而言，我们发现了推动 MRE 解决方案前沿的令人兴奋的可能性。这些通过模拟双压电晶片梁来证明，该梁提供驱动灵活性，可以增强机械弯曲或材料硬化，具体取决于磁刺激。