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Toward artificial muscles that bend and twist on demand

Researchers create shape-morphing filaments using rotational multimaterial 3D printing, enabling programmable artificial muscles that bend and twist on demand. The breakthrough could accelerate the development of complex technologies such as soft robotics, energy damping, and biomedical devices.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2026

Smithsonian-led research shows that scorpions’ weapons are fortified with metal to suit their needs

Researchers at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History analyzed 18 scorpion species and found striking patterns in metal concentration and distribution among their pincers and stingers. The study reveals that zinc plays a role beyond hardness, possibly enhancing durability, and provides insight into how organisms adapt to pr...

SourceSmithsonian·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

Researchers create an injectable particle to make surgery safer for infants

A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has created an injectable microgel called B-knob triggered microgels (BK-TriGs) that can help reduce bleeding in infants during surgery. The microgel works by mimicking the mechanical properties of natural platelets, which helps to create fibrin networks and stanch bleeding.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2026

A stiff defense: Rethinking gum disease

New research demonstrates that restoring the physical stiffness of the gingival tissue can fundamentally change how cells respond to infection, potentially paving the way for new treatments. The study uses a hydrogel system to investigate how gum tissue stiffness impacts periodontal disease inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2026

Terasaki Institute and UCLA Technology Development Group partner to program advanced organ and tissue repair session at LABEST Innovation Conference

The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation and UCLA Technology Development Group will co-curate an Advanced Organ and Tissue Repair (AToR) session at LABEST, featuring leading experts in regenerative medicine. The session aims to accelerate the translation of breakthrough technologies into real-world clinical solutions.

Q&A: Gassing up bioengineered materials for wound healing

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new class of tunable biomaterials, known as granular aerogel scaffolds, to support tissue regeneration and vascularization in wound healing. The material offers improved cell infiltration and may help rapidly form new blood vessels and regenerate damaged tissue.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

“A spray shield that adheres to transplant organs” reduces the burden on patients taking lifelong immunosuppressants

Researchers developed a spray shield that adheres to transplant organs using mussel-derived adhesive protein, reducing immune rejection and its side effects. This innovation enables targeted delivery of immunosuppressants directly to the transplanted site, increasing success rates in xenograft transplantation.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateMar 5, 2026

Bioprinting muscle that knows how to align its cells just as in the human body

A research team from Xi'an Jiaotong University has developed a method to align cells in muscle tissue using electric forces during electrohydrodynamic bioprinting. This breakthrough allows for the creation of living muscle tissues with tightly aligned cells, enabling the production of functional muscle constructs.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateMar 2, 2026

Saving sea lions with soft robotics

Researchers at UNLV have created a 3D-printed synthetic California sea lion pelvic region, enabling medical professionals to conduct blood collection training on anatomically authentic models. This innovation has the potential to improve veterinary procedures and benefit human lives in the long run.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 25, 2026

Smarter tissue and organ repair thanks to made in Ottawa next-gen hydrogel

Researchers from the University of Ottawa have developed a groundbreaking biomaterial that combines strength, adaptability, and biological compatibility for soft tissue repair. The hydrogel is made from synthetic peptides and can be precisely tailored through chemical design, making it an attractive alternative to existing biomaterials.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2026

3D printing soft robots

Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a new fabrication method for printing robotic devices with long filaments featuring precisely placed hollow channels. This allows the device to bend and deform in predetermined ways, enabling the creation of soft robots with predictable s...

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Living material makes harmful UV light visible – Functional coating made from proteins and bacteria

Researchers at TUM developed a coating that makes UV-A radiation visible using proteins and bacteria, opening up new possibilities for sustainable materials. The coating, which includes the protein mEosFP, reliably detects contact with UV-A light and can be integrated into paints and coatings without compromising material properties.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026

A mint idea becomes a game changer for medical devices

Researchers at Flinders University developed a high-performance coating made from peppermint essential oil that protects against infection, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The coating demonstrates strong antibacterial action against key pathogens, including E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

SourceFlinders University·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2026

Biologists and engineers follow goopy clues to plant-wilting bacteria

Researchers found that Ralstonia's unique exo polysaccharide 1 (EPS-1) film allows the bacteria to spread rapidly through plant xylem vessels, causing rapid wilting. The team used precise measurements of the viscoelastic properties of EPS-1 to understand its role in making Ralstonia a devastating plant killer.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 23, 2026

Pusan National University researchers develop light-activated tissue adhesive patch for rapid, watertight neurosurgical sealing

Researchers have developed a breakthrough light-responsive Janus dural patch using photocurable hyaluronic acid, providing strong wet adhesion and preventing unwanted tissue adhesion. The patch seals wounds within five seconds with minimal swelling and high biocompatibility.

SourcePusan National University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 16, 2026

Wyss Institute-led collaboration awarded by ARPA-H PRINT program to engineer off-the-shelf, universal, transplant-ready graft for liver failure

A multidisciplinary team of world-leading experts is developing an off-the-shelf engineered product that could address liver failure in millions of patients. The ImPLANT project aims to create synthetic biology-based gene circuits in human induced pluripotent stem cells to drive cell differentiation into all required liver cell types.

Fighting skin diseases with 3D bioprinting

Researchers at TU Wien developed a 3D bioprinting technique to create living biological tissue for studying skin diseases. The method offers a controlled and highly reproducible manner to produce tailor-made structures for different purposes, such as psoriasis and inflammatory models.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeNews article·DateDec 18, 2025

Dual-function biomaterials for postoperative osteosarcoma: Tumor suppression and bone regeneration

Researchers have developed dual-function biomaterials that can suppress tumors and regenerate bone, offering a promising strategy to address the challenges of postoperative osteosarcoma. The materials are designed to enhance antitumor efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity, and also provide structural support for bone regeneration.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateDec 15, 2025

Bacterial spores for sustainable smart materials

Scientists from Delft University of Technology have developed living materials that can detect disease biomarkers, catalyze environmental pollutant breakdown, and function as self-healing composites. The materials are made by embedding bacterial spores in a protective barrier and can be programmed to perform specific tasks.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateNov 11, 2025

RODIN project, funded by the European Research Council through a Synergy grant (ERC-Syn), will invest 10 M€ to explore cells as the architects of future biomaterials

The RODIN project aims to discover the subtle key structural features that cells engrave into materials when they are driven to produce specific tissues. The team will learn from this 'architectural wisdom' of cells to design new generations of higher performance biomaterials.

Chinese Neurosurgical Journal Study unveils absorbable skull device that speeds healing

A new, fully degradable cranial clamp made from poly-L-lactic acid has been developed to address traditional fixation system drawbacks. The study compared its performance to Aesculap CranioFix through laboratory tests and a clinical trial involving 90 patients, showing improved safety and healing outcomes.

SourceChinese Neurosurgical Journal·JournalChinese Neurosurgical Journal·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 4, 2025

Soft gel breakthrough enables lab-grown slow-twitch muscles

Researchers developed a gel-like material that mimics the softness and microstructure of slow-twitch muscle tissue, successfully cultivating cells with genetic and metabolic traits of slow-twitch fibers. The technology has far-reaching implications for regenerative medicine, drug screening, and muscle transplantation therapies.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2025

Biomaterial vaccines to make implanted orthopedic devices safer

Researchers have developed a novel vaccine strategy using biomaterial scaffold vaccines to protect against Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopedic device implants. The vaccines, made with immune cell-attaching molecules and S. aureus-specific antigens, create a beneficial immune response that significantly lowers bacterial burden.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2025

Muscle tissue from a 3D printer – produced in zero gravity

Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully produced muscle tissue using a new biofabrication system called G-FLight in microgravity. The process enables rapid production of viable muscle constructs with similar cell viability and muscle fibers as those printed under gravity.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2025

Conquering intractable blindness with an artificial retina

A team of researchers has developed an artificial retina model using 3D printing technology, which closely replicates the pathological microenvironment of retinal vein occlusion. The model exhibited responses similar to those observed in clinical cases, validating its potential as a preclinical drug evaluation system.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Composites and Hybrid Materials·DateOct 29, 2025

From soft to solid: How a coral stiffens its skeleton on demand

A soft coral's ability to stiffen its skeleton in response to danger has been studied by Penn Engineers, revealing a mechanism known as granular jamming. By compacting mineral particles and expelling water, the coral's tissues create a rigid structure that can withstand external forces.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2025