Last Update: January 25, 2023, 18:41 IST
The e-biobots created by the scientists are the first of their kind. (Image courtesy: Yongdeok Kim)
The researchers have combined living cellular components with three-dimensional scaffolds, which they call eBiobots.
Bioengineering is taking technology to the next level. Biobots that were once developed by scientists at the University of Illinois have evolved to be less than a centimeter tall since its latest version rolled out. By combining living cellular components with three-dimensional scaffolds, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University have created what they’re calling eBiobots. These first-of-its-kind creations can generate momentum and be used to develop a new generation of miniature robots. The research was published in Science Robotics, titled “Remote control of muscle-powered miniature robots with battery-free wireless optoelectronics.”
The researchers have also shared a video of these eBiobots, which explains the making of this technological marvel. You can also see it in action here:
Instead of legs, this version has two hydrogel or muscle-tissue actuators, according to New Atlas. Each is equipped with a MicroLED. The actuators consist of an electronic module which also houses a receiver coil. When a radio signal is applied externally, the coil powers the LEDs, causing them to pulse. This causes the muscle tissue to contract repeatedly, driving the actuator forward.
Professor Rashid Bashir, who led the study, said that merging microelectronics in this way also brings together two different worlds of biology and electronics. Since both have their advantages, these electronic biobots would be useful for a myriad of applications. Professor Bashir said, “Integrating microelectronics allows the merging of the biological world and the electronics world, both with many advantages of their own, to now produce these electronic biobots and machines that are used in many medical, sensing and environmental applications.” May be useful for the future.” The research was led by John A. Rogers, a professor at Northwestern University.
The research, published in the journal Science Robotics, states that “integrating on-board electronics and remote control into these biological machines will enable a variety of applications in engineering, biology and medicine.” These hybrid bioelectronic robots are battery-free and equipped with micro-inorganic light-emitting diodes. With its help, they can achieve wireless control and real time communication.
The research also states, “The centimetre-scale walking robot was computationally designed and optimized to host onboard optoelectronics with independent stimulation of multiple optogenetic skeletal muscles, both individually and collectively.” Receives remote command of level walking, turning, tillage and transport functions.”
With the development of this latest version of eBiobots, a new path has been opened towards a class of biohybrid machines. This technological advancement will be able to combine biological actuation and sensing with onboard computing.
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