The coming years will see a remarkable evolution towards miniaturization and decentralization. Millions of energy-efficient IoT devices will extend computing and sensing capabilities to unexpected places, including the development of small robots capable of operating underwater. However, in addition to technical considerations, we also need to address sustainability concerns. What happens to these machines when they reach the end of their useful life?
Fortunately, a team of scientists from Carnegie Mellon University in the United States has made a significant breakthrough. They discovered a method to produce soft robots both technologically advanced and environmentally friendly. Using algae derivatives, these robots are biodegradable, paving the way for a more sustainable future. In this article, we will explore the intricacies of this scientific breakthrough and its potential applications in creating a greener and more sustainable world.
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Algae-based biorobots
Soft robots, known for their delicate object manipulation capabilities, are traditionally built from synthetic polymers, rubbers and plastics. While these materials improve sustainability, they also pose environmental risks. So how can we develop a new generation of biodegradable robots? The path to achieving this goal involves many challenges.
For this paper, the team of scientists primarily focused on creating robotic actuators, the mechanisms responsible for generating motion in robots. Their approach is to use calcium alginate derived from brown algae. This material is injected into hydrogels, which serve as a scaffold for 3D printing the robot parts.
The first prototypes produced in the laboratory include a two-fingered gripper designed to pick up and manipulate objects from the environment. Each finger incorporates an internal cavity which can be hydraulically operated by pumping liquid to change the pressure.
Remarkably, these robot parts are incredibly soft and even edible, so much so that they have been used as food for sea slug specimens in the laboratory. Scientists up close monitored the digestive process of slugs for 29 days to ensure that the actuators are metabolized without problems.
Therefore, this new generation of robots can be lost or abandoned in the marine environment without fear of polluting it. The next crucial step towards achieving fully biodegradable robots lies in the development of biodegradable electronics or systems. batteries made from materials like paper. By combining these advances, biorobots will join bioplastics in the fight against the threat of ocean pollution.
Type of soft robots
A branch of biomimetics, soft robotics is inspired by living organisms, which makes it a very promising field. Its unique qualities make it an optimal technology for interactions with animals and plants. In the case of soft robotics developed by the American university team, an interesting application lies in the study of marine life. Theoretically, these robots could handle delicate creatures like jellyfish without causing harm, making it easier to continue scientific research.
Software robots can be classified into four basic types based on their applications:
- Prostheses: Soft robots, imitating the behavior of living beings, have the potential to revolutionize the prosthetics sector. By providing more human-like limbs, they can improve mobility and functionality for people in need.
- Muscle: These soft robots excel at lifting objects without causing damage. In some cases, they possess self-healing abilities, enhancing their usefulness and resilience.
- Edible: With the emergence of biodegradable robots, the possibilities of drug delivery and metabolization in the human body have become feasible. These robots can be designed to release drugs and then be safely metabolized, providing innovative approaches to medical treatments.
- Climbers and crawlers: Soft robots known as climbers possess remarkable flexibility, allowing them to access and navigate difficult or difficult-to-reach areas. This makes them invaluable for tasks requiring exploration and inspection in various areas.
3D printing with bioinks
Developers of software robots used for marine research used proprietary technology 3D printing system with bioinks. Bioinks are specialized inks used in bioprinting to create three-dimensional structures of living tissues and organs. These inks contain vital biological components that maintain cell viability and functionality during the printing process.
The development of efficient bio-links plays an essential role in the bioprinting of functional tissues and organs, like the lungs. These bio-links must be biocompatible, meaning they must be non-toxic to cells and promote proper cell growth and differentiation.
Previously, bioprinting was considered an imprecise system that posed significant challenges in accurately reproducing complex parts. Fortunately, the researchers involved in this project have been working on a system known as FRESH (Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels). This system enables the printing of soft gels, overcoming previous limitations and improving the precision of bioprinting.
It is to highlight that biomaterials and 3D printing are not only poised to revolutionize technologies like soft robots, but also hold significant potential in areas such as constructionas discussed in a previous article. The convergence of these advances is expected to lead to transformative applications in various industries.
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