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First-ever multi-directional artificial muscles could revolutionize robotics
- Engineers and scientists have developed a breakthrough method at MIT, allowing muscle tissues to contract in multiple directions using STAMP, offering flexible, energy-efficient motion for biohybrid robots and medical applications.
- The STAMP approach guides muscle cell growth along microscopic patterns in a cost-effective manner and enables precise alignment of muscle fibers for improved functionality in biohybrid robots and tissue engineering.
- The method allows muscle fibers to grow in complex, multi-directional architectures while retaining their ability to generate force, overcoming limitations of previous unidirectional muscle tissue engineering.
- By creating microscopic grooves in soft hydrogels using 3D-printed stamps, STAMP enables muscle contraction in multiple directions without the need for expensive equipment or rigid scaffolds.
- The researchers showcased the versatility of their method by designing an artificial iris that mimics natural iris function, demonstrating the potential of STAMP in designing biohybrid robots with multi-degree-of-freedom motion.
- STAMP has implications beyond robotics, with applications in tissue engineering, drug screening for neuromuscular diseases, regenerative medicine, and soft robotics, offering a flexible and sustainable alternative to traditional rigid robots.
- The stamping technique could be extended to other cell types like neurons and cardiac muscle cells, potentially advancing bioelectronics and heart tissue engineering.
- MIT's breakthrough in engineered muscle tissue using STAMP simplifies the alignment of muscle fibers in complex orientations, driving innovation across fields like drug testing models and soft robotics.
- This study, published in Biomaterials Science, marks a significant step forward in biohybrid robotics and tissue engineering, with plans for exploring new muscle architectures and activation methods in future research.
- The technology holds promise for creating artificial tissues closely resembling natural counterparts, offering new possibilities in bioengineered muscle-powered systems across various applications.
- Contributions to the research were made by scientists at MIT and Tel Aviv University, emphasizing the interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing biohybrid engineering for future innovations.
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