Stingray robot may lead to bio robotics
13 Jan 2018 5:35 PM GMT
Washington: Scientists have developed a tissue-based soft robot that mimics the biomechanics of a stingray, which could lead to advances in bio-inspired robotics, regenerative medicine and medical diagnostics.
The simple body design of stingrays, specifically, a flattened body shape and side fins that start at the head and
end at the base of their tail, makes them ideal to model
bio- electromechanical systems on. The 10-millimetre long robot is made up of four layers: tissue composed of live heart cells, two distinct types of specialised biomaterials for structural support, and flexible electrodes.
Imitating nature, the robotic stingray is even able to "flap" its fins when
the electrodes contract the heart cells on the biomaterial
scaffold, according to the study
published in the journal Advanced Materials. "This advancement could be used for medical therapies," Ali Khademhosseini, UC, US.
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