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3D-printed living soft robots for medical applications
The aim is a biohybrid soft robots composed of living microorganisms and biomaterials (living materials) and powered with homogeneous magnetic field. Applications are targeted cargo delivery and cancer therapy.
Keywords: Biohybrid robotics, soft robotics, 3D printing, biomaterials, microorganisms, magnetic actuation, cancer therapy
Next-generation soft robots should exhibit “smart” functional properties such as autonomous responses to chemical cues in their surrounding environment, self-growth, and self-regeneration. Engineered living materials, as an emerging interdisciplinary research field, aim to benefit from intrinsic biochemical and physical properties of cells/organisms to impart “smart” functionalities into various medical platforms, and also provide ample opportunities to realise next-generation soft robots.
In this project, we aim to formulate 3D printable living materials, composed of biomaterials, magnetic particles, and microorganisms, for developing biohybrid soft robots that can be used for cancer therapy. Initially, the survival and growth of microorganisms inside the formulated materials following their 3D printing using direct ink writing technique will be examined. Then, the effects of microorganisms on materials` properties will be characterised. After that, mesoscale soft robots that can be actuated with a homogeneous magnetic field will be designed, fabricated, and characterised. Finally, the medical potentials of these biohybrid soft robots will be tested inside organ phantoms.
Next-generation soft robots should exhibit “smart” functional properties such as autonomous responses to chemical cues in their surrounding environment, self-growth, and self-regeneration. Engineered living materials, as an emerging interdisciplinary research field, aim to benefit from intrinsic biochemical and physical properties of cells/organisms to impart “smart” functionalities into various medical platforms, and also provide ample opportunities to realise next-generation soft robots. In this project, we aim to formulate 3D printable living materials, composed of biomaterials, magnetic particles, and microorganisms, for developing biohybrid soft robots that can be used for cancer therapy. Initially, the survival and growth of microorganisms inside the formulated materials following their 3D printing using direct ink writing technique will be examined. Then, the effects of microorganisms on materials` properties will be characterised. After that, mesoscale soft robots that can be actuated with a homogeneous magnetic field will be designed, fabricated, and characterised. Finally, the medical potentials of these biohybrid soft robots will be tested inside organ phantoms.
- Literature review on soft robots powered with homogeneous magnetic fields
- Design and fabrication of biohybrid soft robots
- Characterisation, actuation, and control of the realised soft robots
- Testing the potentials of the realised soft robots inside organ phantoms
- Literature review on soft robots powered with homogeneous magnetic fields - Design and fabrication of biohybrid soft robots - Characterisation, actuation, and control of the realised soft robots - Testing the potentials of the realised soft robots inside organ phantoms
- High motivation and problem-solving ability
- Attitude to independent experimental work
- Knowledge of 3D printing and rapid prototyping
- Knowledge of bacteria culture
- Computer-aided design using NX or similar
- High motivation and problem-solving ability - Attitude to independent experimental work - Knowledge of 3D printing and rapid prototyping - Knowledge of bacteria culture - Computer-aided design using NX or similar
Dr. Oncay Yasa, yasao@ethz.ch, Soft Robotics Lab, D-MAVT
Dr. Miriam Filippi, miriam.filippi@srl.ethz.ch, Soft Robotics Lab, D-MAVT
Prof. Robert Katzschmann, rkk@ethz.ch, Soft Robotics Lab, D-MAVT
Applications are accepted via Sirop, please visit: https://srl.ethz.ch/education/student-
projects.html. Submit your CV, your BSc and MSc transcripts, and two reference contacts.
Dr. Oncay Yasa, yasao@ethz.ch, Soft Robotics Lab, D-MAVT
Dr. Miriam Filippi, miriam.filippi@srl.ethz.ch, Soft Robotics Lab, D-MAVT
Prof. Robert Katzschmann, rkk@ethz.ch, Soft Robotics Lab, D-MAVT
Applications are accepted via Sirop, please visit: https://srl.ethz.ch/education/student- projects.html. Submit your CV, your BSc and MSc transcripts, and two reference contacts.