Wirelessly Powered 3D Printed Bio-hybrid Robot

The field of biomimetic soft robotics is poised for a quantum leap, driven by its unique characteristics such as autonomous energy supply, high energy conversion efficiency, and self-repair capabilities. Bio-hybrid soft robots, which merge flexible electronic devices with life-like bionic constructs, represent a groundbreaking blend of traditional and biomimetic robotics. However, the reliance on wired control systems in current bio-hybrid soft robots has been a significant barrier to their full potential. Enter the era of wireless, 3D-printed bio-hybrid robots.

Breaking the Mold with 3D Printing:

A team of innovative researchers at Harvard Medical School has addressed this limitation by creating a wirelessly powered bio-hybrid soft robot, utilizing the precision and versatility of 3D printing technology. This development, in synergy with specialized 3D printing services like those offered by 3D SHAPING, is set to revolutionize the robotics industry.

The Technology:

State-of-the-Art Scaffold Construction:

The researchers harnessed the power of 3D printing to create a multi-layered, foldable, and biocompatible scaffold. This intricate structure, a testament to the capabilities of 3D printing services, is integrated with a flexible wireless power supply and control circuit.

Inoculation and Integration: 

Following the 3D printing process, the scaffold is meticulously seeded with cardiomyocytes, transforming it into a living, functional part of the robot. This integration is made possible by the precision of 3D printing techniques such as FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering).

Wireless Power and Control: 

The robot's internal circuitry captures electrical energy wirelessly through a coil, which is then transmitted to the stimulation circuit to activate the cardiomyocytes. This wireless integration liberates the robot's mobility, especially in aquatic environments, from the constraints of wired systems.

Experimental Success: 

The team's experimental results are a resounding validation of the innovative design. By adjusting the wireless drive frequency, the 2-centimeter-square bio-hybrid robot achieves a remarkable speed of approximately 580 microns per second. The drive circuit also exhibits excellent biocompatibility, with no evidence of biotoxicity.

Conclusion:

The 3D-printed, wirelessly powered bio-hybrid robot is a milestone in the evolution of soft robotics. By harnessing the advanced 3D printing services, including FDM and SLS 3D printing for bio-hybrid robots, this innovation overcomes the limitations of wired control systems, paving the way for the creation of unrestricted biological hybrid soft robots. This advancement holds vast potential in biomedical fields, offering new dimensions for interactive sensing and targeted operations based on integrated circuits.

References

Tetsuka, H., Pirrami, L., Wang, T., Demarchi, D., Shin, S. R., Wirelessly Powered 3D Printed Hierarchical Biohybrid Robots with Multiscale Mechanical Properties. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022, 32, 2202674. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202202674