1,721,785 research outputs found
Biomaterials for 2D and 3D bio-hybrid robotic devices
No full textRobotics is nowadays facing emerging challenges, due to the need of designing and developing novel machines able to perform complex tasks in non-structured environments and to maintain their functionality for long periods (e.g. by self-repairing their structures).
Wet machines and bio-hybrid robotic components recently emerged, opening the way towards the integration of living cells and tissues within artificial devices. This approach allows to exploit the unique features of living elements (high efficiency, self-healing capability, glucose-based powering, etc.), although several technological challenges must be faced before achieving this objective.
This work aims at reporting the author’s achievements in the field of bio-hybrid systems (mainly concerning bio-hybrid actuation) and at highlighting that 2D and 3D biomaterials are key components of any bio-hybrid machine
Novel fully implantable artificial pancreas with insuline refilling system based on swallowable capsules
No full textEngineering stem cells for future medicine
No full textDespite their great potential in regenerative medicine applications, stem cells (especially pluripotent ones) currently show a limited clinical success, partly due to a lack of biological knowledge, but also due to a lack of specific and advanced technological instruments able to overcome the current boundaries of stem cell functional maturation and safe/effective therapeutic delivery. This paper aims at describing recent insights, current limitations, and future horizons related to therapeutic stem cells, by analyzing the potential of different bioengineering disciplines in bringing stem cells toward a safe clinical use. First, we clarify how and why stem cells should be properly engineered and which could be in a near future the challenges and the benefits connected with this process. Second, we identify different routes toward stem cell differentiation and functional maturation, relying on chemical, mechanical, topographical, and direct/indirect physical stimulation. Third, we highlight how multiscale modeling could strongly support and optimize stem cell engineering. Finally, we focus on future robotic tools that could provide an added value to the extent of translating basic biological knowledge into clinical applications, by developing ad hoc enabling technologies for stem cell delivery and control
Bio-inspired solutions for locomotion in the gastrointestinal tract: background and perspectives
No full textBio-hybrid muscle cell-based actuators
No full textActuation is an essential function of any artificial
or living machine, allowing its movement and its interaction
with the surrounding environment. Living muscles have
evolved over millions of years within animals as nature’s
premier living generators of force, work and power, showing
unique characteristics in comparison with standard artificial
actuators. Current actuation technologies actually
represent a real bottleneck in many robotics and ICT applications,
including the bio-inspired ones. Main limitations
involve inertia and backdrivability, stiffness control and
power consumption. The development of novel actuators
able to better mimic or even to overcome living muscle
performances would open new horizons in robotics and
ICT technologies: these components would allow the raise
of a new generation of machines, with life-like movements
and outstanding performances. An innovative solution to
achieve this goal is represented by the merging between
artificial and living entities, towards the realization of biohybrid
devices. The aim of the present article is to describe
the scientific and technological efforts made by researchers
in the last two decades to achieve cell- or tissue-based
actuators, with the dream of matching or outperforming
natural muscles and to efficiently power micro- and minidevices.
The main challenges connected to the development
of a cell-based actuator are highlighted and the most recent
solutions to this scientific/technological problem are
depicted, reporting advantages and drawbacks of each single
approach. Future perspectives are also described, envisioning
bio-hybrid actuators as key components of a new generation
of machines able to show life-like movements and
behaviors
Nanotechnology in biorobotics: opportunities and challenges
No full textNanotechnology recently opened a series of unexpected technological opportunities that drove the emergence of novel scientific and technological fields, which have the potential to dramatically change the lives of millions of citizens. Some of these opportunities have been already caught by researchers working in the different fields related to biorobotics, while other exciting possibilities still lie on the horizon. This article highlights how nanotechnology applications recently impacted the development of advanced solutions for actuation and sensing and the achievement of microrobots, nanorobots, and non-conventional larger robotic systems. The open challenges are described, together with the most promising research avenues involving nanotechnology
Microsistema ottico integrato di comunicazione e percezione sensoriale per micro robot operanti in sistemi multi-agente o sciami e relativo metodo di produzione
No full text
Hybrid Soft-Rigid Actuators for Minimally Invasive Surgery
No full textFluidic mechanisms have stimulated research and development in minimally invasive surgery instrumentations, because of their good performance in limited size and their force/torque generation with respect to other types of actuation systems. Fluidic solutions can be divided in two major classes: (i) elastic fluidic actuators and (ii) piston-cylinder actuators. Elastic fluidic actuators generate lower forces with smaller displacements; nevertheless, piston-cylinder solutions require seals, which can generate friction and require maintenance costs for a good reliability. The proposed solution is based on a hybrid soft-rigid actuation, which aims to overcome the limitations of both previous solutions while preserving the main advantages of the overall fluidic approach. This approach results in very compact, powerful, and low-cost actuators, which are highly customizable and adaptable to specific constraints, in medical applications but even beyond. This article proposes a novel design of hybrid soft-rigid actuators to be used as basic mechanical joints for enabling pitch and roll degrees of freedom for a miniature robotic arm. Forces up to 1.4 N and up to 2.77 N have been obtained for the above joints, respectively, and even better performance can be reached (up to 3 N) with further improvements, as demonstrated in this article
- …
