Articles tagged with Biomimetics
Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a human iPS cell-derived kidney organoid-based proximal tubule-on-chip that mimics in vivo renal physiology. This model exhibits enhanced expression and polarity of essential renal transporters, making it a powerful tool for assessing drug transport and nephrotoxicity.
Dr. Josephine Wu's project, OPTO-BIOPRINTING, aims to develop a novel platform for spatiotemporally guided tissue engineering using cellular self-assembly and light triggering. The goal is to create living organ replacements that can perform as well as native equivalents.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed an AI sensor that can accurately measure the orientation of the Milky Way in low light, using a technique inspired by the dung beetle. This system could improve navigation for drones and satellites in difficult lighting conditions.
Researchers studied kestrels' hovering flight behavior, revealing insights that could improve drone stability in turbulent conditions. The study found that birds use changes in wing surface area to achieve stable flight, a method that could be applied to morphing wings in drones.
A research group developed a long-acting artificial hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetic molecule using cyclic peptides and protein engineering. The molecule improved liver fibrosis, lipid accumulation, and inflammation in a mouse model with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), providing an option for NASH therapeutics.
Researchers at UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science developed artificial compound eyes that mimic praying mantis vision, offering improved depth perception and reduced power consumption by over 400 times compared to traditional systems.
Researchers from Chiba University developed a foldable pouch actuator that enables finger extension in soft rehabilitation gloves, overcoming the limitation of existing actuators. The FPA facilitates joint-specific movements and has potential applications in telerehabilitation and care facilities.
Researchers create bioinspired directional structures to inhibit the wetting of molten droplets on super-melt-philic surfaces at high temperatures. The structures provide anisotropic energy barriers, hindering the movement of water and preventing wetting.
Researchers at TU Delft developed an insect-inspired navigation strategy for tiny, lightweight robots, allowing them to return home after long trajectories while requiring minimal computation and memory. The strategy combines visual breadcrumbs and step counting to enable autonomous navigation in cluttered environments.
The study reveals that the electric blue spots of the bluespotted ribbontail ray are produced by unique skin cells with a stable 3D arrangement of nanoscale spheres containing reflecting nanocrystals. The team believes this colouration provides camouflage benefits to the stingrays, allowing them to blend with their surroundings.
Researchers developed a flexible-yet-sturdy morphing structure inspired by the starfish skeleton with 4D morphing features. The structure exhibits self-locking, continuous bending, self-healing, and shape memory features, making it suitable for industry applications in robotics, aviation, and biomedical devices.
A new surgical procedure reconnects muscles in the residual limb, allowing patients to receive proprioceptive feedback about their prosthetic limb's position. Seven patients who underwent this surgery were able to walk faster, avoid obstacles, and climb stairs more naturally than those with traditional amputations.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a biomimicry-inspired device that nearly doubles the strength of rotator cuff repairs, reducing the risk of re-tearing. The device, made from a biocompatible resin, is designed to grasp soft tissues without tearing and can be customized to individual patients.
Researchers observed the formation of butterfly scales' ridged pattern through advanced imaging techniques. The team found that a smooth surface wrinkles to form microscopic undulations before growing into finely patterned ridges.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to convert native sugars into diverse classes of stable glycosides and glycoproteins. This biomimetic concept uses 'cap and glycosylate' technology to selectively activate and substitute the anomeric hydroxyl group in a native sugar, generating a temporary thioglycoside intermediate that unde...
Researchers at Wyss Institute develop subcutaneous scaffolds to restimulate CAR-T cells, increasing therapeutic efficacy in mice with aggressive blood tumors. The biomaterials increase CAR-T cell numbers and steer differentiation into tumor-killing T cells.
Researchers at Texas A&M University are investigating the historical effects of strain on shape-memory alloys to improve predictive capabilities. They will use a synergistic experimental and numerical approach to understand and predict history effects in these alloys, with potential applications in heart stents and airplane wing flaps.
Researchers have developed a biomimetic artificial islet model using vascularized microcapsules to control blood sugar levels. The model integrates a microvascular network and uses microfluidic technology to achieve fine regulation of blood sugar levels, showing its effective potential as a treatment for diabetes.
Scientists from OIST created synthetic droplets to mimic biological processes, finding that pH gradients facilitate Marangoni effect and enabling droplets to detect and migrate towards each other. This study sheds light on the movement of simplest forms of life in primordial soup billions of years ago.
Scientists from Project CETI have developed suction cups inspired by clingfish to attach to sperm whales without causing harm. The new design has shown promise in withstanding the forces of a swimming whale and will be tested on sperm whales in Dominica.
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have discovered how to produce sustainable colors using beetles that live in the dark. By understanding how these beetles' exoskeletons reflect light, scientists can create environmentally friendly materials for various industries. This breakthrough has significant implicatio...
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed an ultraviolet laser-processing technique for fabricating complex microstructures, enabling the creation of biohybrid actuators capable of complex, flexible movements. The method involves forming curved microgrooves on a substrate and aligning muscle cells in an anisotropic manne...
Researchers discovered how insects navigate using limited brain power by simplifying complex problems through their behavior, a strategy that can be applied to robots and computers. A model of insect neuronal activity showed the robot successfully navigated in various environments, leading to potential improvements in energy efficiency.
A KAIST research team has developed a biomimetic scaffold that generates electrical signals to promote bone tissue growth, providing a new method for utilizing the unique osteogenic abilities of hydroxyapatite. The flexible and free-standing scaffold demonstrated remarkable potential for promoting bone regeneration in rats.
Researchers have developed a wearable patch that can detect and respond to human muscle signals, allowing people to control robotic exoskeletons more efficiently. The patch, called SNAP, uses microneedles to pick up tiny signals from muscles and sends them to outside equipment for processing.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a two-legged biohybrid robot capable of walking and pivoting underwater. The robot uses lab-grown skeletal muscle tissue to move its legs, achieving efficient and silent movements. Future iterations aim to develop thicker muscles with nutrient supplies to enable robots to walk on land.
Studies investigated the effect of trailing-edge fringes on owl wings, finding reduced noise levels and maintained aerodynamic performance. The simulations revealed two complementary mechanisms: reducing airflow fluctuations and suppressing feather interactions, leading to improved low-noise fluid machinery applications.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully spin artificial spider silk that closely matches natural production, mimicking the complex molecular structure of silk. The eco-friendly innovation has potential benefits for environment and biomedical fields.
Amanda Marciel, assistant professor at Rice University, receives a $670,406 NSF CAREER Award to develop synthetic networks with gel-like softness and high elasticity. Her research aims to create new elastomers with controlled structure-function relationships.
Researchers have developed a system that enables accurate force measurement in soft material-based actuators, allowing for arbitrarily long periods of constant force. The new material combinations reduce energy consumption by up to thousandfold, enabling the creation of low-cost and high-performance solutions for assistive devices and ...
A recent study by Osaka University's researchers aims to bring science fiction stories closer to reality by studying the mechanical properties of human facial expressions. The team mapped out the intricacies of human facial movements using tracking markers, revealing that even simple motions can be surprisingly complex and nuanced.
Scientists developed a synthetic melanin that accelerates wound healing and protects against sun damage. The cream also quiets the immune system, allowing for continuous repair and reducing inflammation.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a water-repelling nanostructured light diffuser that surpasses the functionality of other common diffusers. The diffuser uses randomly arranged self-cleaning nanopatterns to produce high transmittance and wide angular spread, making it useful for visual displays and energy-saving windows.
Researchers studied how insects evolved two distinct flight strategies using robots and biophysicists. They found that asynchronous flight evolved together in a common ancestor, but some groups reverted back to synchronous flight.
Duke researchers demonstrate that incorporating rhythm into movement designs can optimize performance and efficiency for robots and animals. By varying the timing of movements, optimal rhythms can be achieved, affecting all aspects of design.
A new biomimetic chip has been developed to simulate the human gastric mucosa, combining organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies. The biochip replicates mechanical stimulation and cell-to-cell interactions, mimicking key features of the human stomach's defense mechanisms.
Researchers found a 27% decrease in mean friction and a 9% reduction in energy demand through pulsating pumping similar to the human heart. This approach could lead to less costly modifications than pipe wall changes or actuators, benefiting industrial applications.
The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, reveals a novel light-activated material that can be used to effectively reshape and thicken damaged corneal tissue, promoting healing and recovery for patients with keratoconus. The technology has tremendous potential to impact millions of people suffering from corneal diseases.
Researchers developed bio-piezoelectric smart scaffolds for next-generation bone tissue engineering, demonstrating potential for clinical applications. The scaffolds can reconstruct desired tissue EM through non-invasive ultrasonic stimulation, promoting cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation.
Researchers at CiQUS developed biomimetic nanocarriers that fuse with host cell membranes to release drugs into cytosol. This approach enhances therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability by increasing selectivity and safety.
Researchers have developed bat-inspired drones to eliminate moth pests from greenhouses using sound-based technology. The drones' noise affects moth flight behavior, causing some to fly erratically and others to cease flying altogether.
Researchers discovered that a bivalve's hinge can withstand 1,500,000 cycles without fatigue damage. The team proposed a novel design strategy based on the hinge's hierarchical structure to create fatigue-resistant materials.
A team of researchers from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a hydrodynamic model to study penguin wings' propulsion physics. The model reveals that wing feathering is the main factor in generating thrust, allowing penguins to swim efficiently and maneuver swiftly.
Researchers have developed a new manufacturing pipeline to simplify and advance high-value manufacturing of tissue-compatible organs, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. This breakthrough aims to address the dire need for artificially engineered organs and tissue grafts, potentially saving thousands of lives in the UK.
Researchers from Osaka University developed a biomimetic robot that uses dynamic instability to navigate uneven terrain. The robot can switch between straight and curved walking motions, making it suitable for search and rescue operations or planetary exploration.
Researchers develop bio-inspired microphones that detect specific signals without consuming a lot of energy or requiring supervision. These miniature sensors are ideal for hazardous or hard-to-reach applications.
Researchers at Arizona State University have designed a drone with an inflatable frame that can absorb impact forces and provide collision resilience. The drone's stiffness is tunable, allowing it to physically interact with its surroundings and accomplish tasks like perching, which involves controlled collisions.
Researchers at IIT developed a biodegradable seed-robot that can change shape in response to humidity, inspired by the seed structure of a South African geranium. The robot, part of the European project I-Seed, has potential applications in environmental monitoring and reforestation.
Researchers used a biomimetic model to study wound healing in burn and laceration wounds. Fibroblasts were found to clear away damaged tissue before depositing new material, but this process was slower in burn wounds due to more tissue damage. Therapies that promote wound clearance could accelerate healing.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have created a soft material with metal-like conductivity and self-healing properties that can support digital electronics and motors. The material has been demonstrated in various applications, including powering motors and enabling reconfigurable circuits.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a latch control system that enables grasshopping robots to perform efficiently on soft substrates. The team discovered that the latch can not only regulate energy output but also mediate energy transfer between the robot and its environment, leading to improved jump performance.
Researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have created a soft robot inspired by earthworms, able to crawl using soft actuators that elongate or squeeze. The prototype demonstrates improved locomotion with a speed of 1.35mm/s and has potential applications in underground exploration, excavation, search and rescue operations.
The researchers designed the robot to mimic the movement of flippers in water and centipedes on land, resulting in impressive speeds of 1.5 body lengths per second on land and 0.74 body lengths per second in water. The amphibious robot has potential applications in search and rescue, marine agriculture, and fish feeding.
Researchers at MIT create a novel approach to building deformable underwater robots using simple repeating substructures. The system can assemble into various shapes and sizes, offering scalability and efficiency improvements over current technologies.
A team of researchers has developed an artificial tissue that repairs injuries and restores normal erectile function in a pig model. The artificial tunica albuginea (ATA) shows promise for repairing penile injuries in humans by mimicking the microstructure of natural tissues.
A team of simple robots, nicknamed RAnts, use photormones to escape a corral and perform complex tasks. The research reveals how collective cooperation can arise from simple rules, applicable to solving problems like construction, search and rescue, and defense.
Great gray owls have a broad disc-like face that acts as radar to find food, while their facial features help correct for sonic distortions caused by snow. The owls' ability to hover above prey allows them to pinpoint location and avoid acoustic mirages created by the snow.
Researchers found that fruit flies compensate for catastrophic wing injuries by flapping the damaged wing harder and reducing the speed of the healthy one. This allows them to maintain stability while exchanging some performance, actively increasing damping to counteract decreased friction between the wing and air.
Researchers at NC State University have created an energy-efficient soft robot that can swim more than four times faster than previous models. The 'butterfly bots' use bistable wings for propulsion and achieve speeds of up to 3.74 body lengths per second.
A new study has found that springtails' jumping, soaring, and landing patterns are precise and controlled, with some species able to land on their feet. The research, led by Victor Ortega Jiménez, aims to teach robots how to replicate this ability.