Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Salma E. El-Habashy, Amal H. El-Kamel, Marwa M. Essawy, Elsayeda-Zeinab A. Abdelfattah, Hoda M. Eltaher
Summary: The study developed novel core/shell, bio-inspired, drug-loaded polymeric hydrogel scaffolds using 3D printing, showing great potential for pharmaceutical personalized drug delivery and superior osteoregeneration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Robotics
Ali Zolfagharian, Saleh Gharaie, Jack Gregory, Mahdi Bodaghi, Akif Kaynak, Saeid Nahavandi
Summary: A compliant 3D-printed soft gripper designed based on bioinspired spiral spring allows interaction with delicate objects using sensorless mechanism, with kinematic and dynamic models derived analytically and through finite element analysis. The gripper can be used for object manipulation in medical and agricultural sectors.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Sen Su, Tian He, Hui Yang
Summary: In this study, a DEA material that can be rapidly fabricated via 3D printing was investigated. The modified ink based on CN 9021 achieved optimal mechanical properties and was successfully printed on a self-designed 3D printing platform to produce DEAs. The 3D printed DEAs exhibited the same performance as those made by spin coating, but with a simplified and more efficient fabrication process.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yangdaiyi Zhang, Tongtong Zheng, Shimei Jiang
Summary: In this study, a smart fluorescent hydrogel was constructed that exhibited synergistic shape, color, fluorescence, and transparency responses to a single acid stimulus. This provides new insights for the design of biomimetic systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Albert Gevorkian, Sofia M. Morozova, Sina Kheiri, Nancy Khuu, Heyu Chen, Edmond Young, Ning Yan, Eugenia Kumacheva
Summary: This study introduces a novel actuation method for hydrogels based solely on its structural anisotropy. 3D-printed single-layer hydrogels composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and gelatin methacryloyl exhibit anisotropic mechanical and swelling properties due to the shear-induced orientation of CNCs.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qiu Yin, Qing Guo, Zhaolong Wang, Yiqin Chen, Huigao Duan, Ping Cheng
Summary: This paper presents a bioinspired surface fabricated using projection micro-stereolithography technique, allowing continuous adjustment of wettability. The surface exhibits potential applications in various fields and the underlying control mechanisms are revealed.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Naveen Thirunavukkarasu, Shuqiang Peng, Harini Bhuvaneswari Gunasekaran, Zhi Yang, Lixin Wu, Zixiang Weng
Summary: This study developed a scalable elastomeric bioinspired structure with desirable friction performances, demonstrating friction modulations with pillar and dimple hybrid structures in dry and wet conditions, and identified pillar hybrid design has strong friction features on wet surfaces.
TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Zhao, Yiming Huang, Fengting Lv, Libing Liu, Qi Gu, Shu Wang
Summary: The study introduces 4D printed-smart hydrogel actuators that can generate oxygen and mimic botanical respiration. These actuators, featuring complex structures with photothermal conversion and catalytical Oxygen evolution capabilities, show great potential for applications in intelligent hydrogel systems.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Matheus S. Xavier, Charbel D. Tawk, Yuen K. Yong, Andrew J. Fleming
Summary: This study presents the design and direct 3D-printing of novel omnidirectional soft pneumatic actuators using stereolithography and fused deposition modeling, which offer high design flexibility and repeatability. The actuators are optimized using the finite element method for multimodal actuation, showing potential applications in pipe inspection and biomedical devices.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junyi Liu, Nafisah Bte Mohd Rafiq, Lai Mun Wong, Shijie Wang
Summary: This review paper discusses the significance of surface treatment on metallic implants in biomedical applications, focusing on enhancing the osseointegration activity of the bone-implant interface through surface treatment and bioactive coating. Current challenges and future directions for the development of surface treatment on 3D-printed implants are also presented.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Xue Yang, Shuai Li, Ya Ren, Lei Qiang, Yihao Liu, Jinwu Wang, Kerong Dai
Summary: Three-dimensional printed hydrogel is a promising approach in cartilage tissue engineering due to its similarity to the extracellular matrix and its ability to fabricate 3D cell culture scaffolds. Various hydrogels, both natural and synthetic, have been tested for 3D printing in vitro articular cartilage tissues. The advancement in materials and printing techniques allows for the fabrication of delicate cartilage structures on multiple scales. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels and their application prospects in tissue engineering are also discussed in this review. The development of novel composite hydrogels that meet the requirements of native articular cartilage is crucial for further advancement in the field.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Moien Alizadehgiashi, Carine R. Nemr, Mahshid Chekini, Daniel Pinto Ramos, Nitesh Mittal, Sharif U. Ahmed, Nancy Khuu, Shana O. Kelley, Eugenia Kumacheva
Summary: This study reports 3D-printed multicomponent biocomposite hydrogel wound dressings with independently controlled release of different biologically active agents. The results demonstrate that these dressings can improve granulation tissue formation, regulate vascular density, and be applied for personalized treatment of various wound types.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Kirstie R. Ryan, Michael P. Down, Craig E. Banks
Summary: 4D printing is a developing field in additive manufacturing that utilizes time responsive programmable materials to create dynamic structures for a variety of applications. The use of multifunctional materials in 4D printing offers solutions for challenging environments where human intervention is not possible, such as outer space and extreme weather conditions. This technology has the potential to advance health monitoring, electrical devices, deployable structures, soft robotics, and tuneable metamaterials.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiaoliang Song, Xianxian Li, Fengyu Wang, Li Wang, Li Lv, Qing Xie, Xu Zhang, Xinzhong Shao
Summary: This study investigated the effect of 3D-printed PLGA scaffolds combined with GFOGER and BMP-9 on the repair of large bone defects. The results showed that the modified scaffold enhanced new bone mineral deposition and density, promoting uniform trabeculae formation and new bone regeneration. This research provides important guidance for the application of bone tissue engineering.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Guido Ehrmann, Tomasz Blachowicz, Andrea Ehrmann
Summary: This article provides an overview of magnetic composites 3D-printed using different techniques and their potential applications. By embedding nanoparticles in the printing material, additional functionalities can be added to the objects. The influence of printing parameters on the magnetic and mechanical properties of these polymer/magnetic composites is also discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zheng Liu, Wenyang Pan, Kaiyang Wang, Yoav Matia, Artemis Xu, Jose A. Barreiros, Cameron Darkes-Burkey, Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Yigit Menguc, Robert F. Shepherd, Thomas J. Wallin
Summary: This study introduces an acoustic liquefaction approach to enhance the flow of yield stress fluids during DLP-based 3D printing. This method enables processing of high-viscosity resins and improves printed feature resolution, increases printable object sizes, and speeds up the printing process.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cameron A. Aubin, Benjamin Gorissen, Edoardo Milana, Philip R. Buskohl, Nathan Lazarus, Geoffrey A. Slipher, Christoph Keplinger, Josh Bongard, Fumiya Iida, Jennifer A. Lewis, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: This article explores how system integration and multifunctionality in nature inspire a new paradigm for autonomous robots called Embodied Energy. By integrating energy directly into the structures and materials of robots, without the need for separate batteries, more efficient energy utilization can be achieved. It also introduces emerging applications of embodied energy in the development of autonomous robots.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Di Ni, Ronald Heisser, Benyamin Davaji, Landon Ivy, Robert Shepherd, Amit Lal
Summary: This study presents a three-dimensional polymer interdigitated pillar electrostatic actuator with high force densities and linear actuation capability. The actuator shows superior stability and durability in experiments.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shannon E. Bakarich, Rachel Miller, Randy A. Mrozek, Maura R. O'Neill, Geoffrey A. Slipher, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: This paper introduces the application of elastomer-granule composites and their combination with fluidic elastomeric actuators in the jamming phenomenon, as well as demonstrates a fluidic actuator that mimics a key feature of animal musculature. The actuator allows independent control over motion and stiffening without shape change. By leveraging these physical properties, higher specific stiffness actuators can be achieved with lower volumetric flow rates, while maintaining control over shape and stiffness.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cameron Darkes-Burkey, Xiao Liu, Leigh Slyker, Jason Mulderrig, Wenyang Pan, Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Robert F. Shepherd, Lawrence J. Bonassar, Nikolaos Bouklas
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of stiff and tough biohybrid composites by combining collagen with a zwitterionic hydrogel through simple mixing. The resulting composite material exhibits mechanical properties similar to soft biological tissues such as articular cartilage. The addition of collagen increases the elastic modulus and toughness of the composite, while also improving cytocompatibility.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoav Matia, Hyeon Seok An, Robert F. Shepherd, Nathan Lazarus
Summary: In this study, magnetohydrodynamic levitation was used to develop a soft, elastomeric solenoid-driven pump. By using a permanent magnet as a piston and ferrofluid as a liquid seal, the pump was able to maintain pumping performance under deformation. A predictive model was provided and the transient nonlinear dynamics of the magnet during operation were captured, enabling goal-driven design.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jeyeon Jo, Artemis Xu, Anand Kumar Mishra, Hedan Bai, Armen Derkevorkian, Jason Rabinovitch, Huiju Park, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: Conventional strain gauges are not suitable for accurate measurement in compliant textiles with large deformations. This paper presents a soft fiber sensor that can accurately measure deformations in textiles. The sensor uses light modulation to measure strain and has minimal impact on the mechanical properties of the textile.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maura R. O'Neill, Deanna Sessions, Nitesh Arora, Vincent W. Chen, Abigail Juhl, Gregory H. Huff, Stephan Rudykh, Robert F. Shepherd, Philip R. Buskohl
Summary: Flexible hybrid electronic materials and devices, such as dielectric elastomers, have the potential to advance wearable sensors and flexible antennas by utilizing their tunable permittivity. A combined computational and experimental study on two different dielectric elastomer architectures shows that the geometry of the unit cell can be customized using additive fabrication, allowing for the tuning of the electromechanical response of the structures.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Jose A. Barreiros, Artemis Xu, Sofya Pugach, Narahari Iyengar, Graeme Troxell, Alexander Cornwell, Samantha Hong, Bart Selman, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: Flesh has the ability to encode haptic information using mechanoreceptors on the human body. An engineered flesh using optical materials and machine learning can encode haptic stimuli into light and infer spatiotemporal information from it. The system demonstrates low error in estimating temperature, contact location, and forces.
Article
Mechanics
Jaeseok Kim, Anand Kumar Mishra, Lorenzo Radi, Muhammad Zain Bashir, Olivia Nocentini, Filippo Cavallo
Summary: This study presents a soft, compliant 3D printed gripper for automated grasping of surgical instruments. The gripper includes features such as a resilient mechanism, flat fingertips with mortise and tenon joint, a soft pad, and a four-bar linkage mechanism for precise movement. Experimental results show that the gripper can autonomously grasp surgical instruments with a high success rate and demonstrate pick and place abilities on different surfaces in real-time.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Daniel Morton, Artemis Xu, Alberto Matute, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: Aeronautics research has been focused on achieving adaptability and morphing performance in avian wings. Current wing designs rely on hinged control surfaces, but recent research has shown promising results in compliant and bio-inspired mechanisms for morphing wings and control surfaces. To overcome limitations in complexity and control, a new approach called Autonomous Material Composites (AMC) was applied to the design of avian-scale morphing wings. This approach reduces the need for complex mechanisms and allows for three-dimensional placement of stretchable fiber optic strain gauges throughout the wing structure. The resulting wing achieves high-deformation morphing in three degrees of freedom and modifies the aerodynamic performance, as demonstrated in wind tunnel testing, with sensors enabling future state estimation and control.
JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hedan Bai, Young Seong Kim, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: We introduce a self-healing soft-bodied system, SHeaLDS, which utilizes the damage resilience of light propagation in an optical waveguide and an autonomously self-healing polyurethane urea elastomer. This system enables damage resilience and intelligence in robots, providing reliable dynamic sensing, resistance to punctures, and autonomous self-healing from cuts. A demonstration with a quadruped robot protected by SHeaLDS shows its ability to detect and self-heal from extreme damage, while autonomously adapting its gait through feedback control.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Autumn Pratt, Patrick Wilcox, Caroline Hanson, Robert F. Shepherd
Summary: This article introduces the concept of tensegristat robots, which mimic the structure of muscular hydrostats and allow large-scale shape changes and separate control of stiffness and motion.
IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Yoav Matia, Gregory H. Kaiser, Robert F. Shepherd, Amir D. Gat, Nathan Lazarus, Kirstin H. Petersen
Summary: This paper demonstrates complex motion in soft, fluid-driven actuators composed of elastomer bladders. The motion is generated using a single pressure input and viscous flows within the actuator to produce nonuniform pressure. A predictive model is used to capture all dynamic interactions, and five design elements are described and demonstrated. The benefits of viscous-driven soft actuators are showcased in a six-legged untethered robot.
ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
(2023)