Femtosecond laser programmed artificial musculoskeletal systems

Nat Commun. 2020 Sep 10;11(1):4536. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-18117-0.

Abstract

Natural musculoskeletal systems have been widely recognized as an advanced robotic model for designing robust yet flexible microbots. However, the development of artificial musculoskeletal systems at micro-nanoscale currently remains a big challenge, since it requires precise assembly of two or more materials of distinct properties into complex 3D micro/nanostructures. In this study, we report femtosecond laser programmed artificial musculoskeletal systems for prototyping 3D microbots, using relatively stiff SU-8 as the skeleton and pH-responsive protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) as the smart muscle. To realize the programmable integration of the two materials into a 3D configuration, a successive on-chip two-photon polymerization (TPP) strategy that enables structuring two photosensitive materials sequentially within a predesigned configuration was proposed. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate a pH-responsive spider microbot and a 3D smart micro-gripper that enables controllable grabbing and releasing. Our strategy provides a universal protocol for directly printing 3D microbots composed of multiple materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetics / instrumentation
  • Biomimetics / methods*
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemistry
  • Epoxy Compounds / radiation effects*
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / radiation effects
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lasers
  • Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena*
  • Polymerization / radiation effects
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / radiation effects*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Robotics / instrumentation
  • Robotics / methods*
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / chemistry
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Hydrogels
  • Polymers
  • SU-8 compound
  • Serum Albumin, Bovine