When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as airplane and automobile parts to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in the 1980s as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and patient-specific models to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
Living organisms are amazing feats of engineering. From complex thought to relatively simple digestion and locomotion, mother nature is truly a masterful designer. For thousands of years, mankind has attempted to emulate nature both in art and science. History is full of talented painters and sculptors who have mimicked natures forms in two and three-dimensional art while ingenious inventors have created things like airplane wings and camera lenses that function with the same principles that give flight and sight to various animals. Recently, French researchers at the Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique have accomplished yet another impressive feat by creating synthetic muscles using a polymer-based contractile gel.
Inspired by nature
In living organisms, nerve signals can be sent from the brain to manifest collective molecular motions that have a macroscopic effect – put simply, animals can contract and relax muscles via the stimulus of protein motors. For just about every living thing, locomotion requires very little thought or consideration, despite the actual complexity of this process. Every time you tense a muscle, tiny protein-based motors engage, each moving mere nanometers at a time. However, when millions of these tiny units work together to pull in the same direction, then the effect is much more powerful.
In living organisms, nerve signals can be sent from the brain to manifest collective molecular motions that have a macroscopic effect – put simply, animals can contract and relax muscles via the stimulus of protein motors. For just about every living thing, locomotion requires very little thought or consideration, despite the actual complexity of this process. Every time you tense a muscle, tiny protein-based motors engage, each moving mere nanometers at a time. However, when millions of these tiny units work together to pull in the same direction, then the effect is much more powerful.
"For thousands of years, mankind has attempted to emulate nature both in art and science."
In order to recreate organic muscles in a synthetic compound, Nicolas Giuseppone, a professor at the University of Strasbourg, and his team at CNRS' Institut Charles Sadron have created a novel polymer gel that can contract and relax with assistance from tiny chains of molecular motors. These nanoscale motors are photosensitive, which means that they are engaged by exposure to light. When activated, the motors twist the polymer chains that are suspended in gel, causing the entire system to contract several centimeters.
Balancing torque and strength
In organic systems, the tension expressed by these complex chains of proteins is kept in check by the sensation of pain. If you've ever lifted weights, you have probably experienced that painful moment when you simply cannot lift anymore, and you have to put down the barbell. CNRS' synthetic muscle gel is not connected to a nervous system, so it obviously cannot experience pain. As a result, there is nothing stopping the tiny motors from continuing to twist. So if the polymer gel is left in direct solar exposure for an extended period of time, the built up energy can be enough for the gel to literally tear itself to pieces.
In organic systems, the tension expressed by these complex chains of proteins is kept in check by the sensation of pain. If you've ever lifted weights, you have probably experienced that painful moment when you simply cannot lift anymore, and you have to put down the barbell. CNRS' synthetic muscle gel is not connected to a nervous system, so it obviously cannot experience pain. As a result, there is nothing stopping the tiny motors from continuing to twist. So if the polymer gel is left in direct solar exposure for an extended period of time, the built up energy can be enough for the gel to literally tear itself to pieces.
At this point, the design challenge facing CNRS scientists is figuring out how to deal with the excess energy that is generated when solar power is converted into kinetic energy. Either they have to figure out a way to strengthen the polymer to such a point that its strength is equal or greater than the maximum torque that the motors could theoretically produce, or they have to develop an energy dump to allow excess kinetic energy to be expelled from the system.
No matter how this challenge is resolved, one thing is certain: this novel, polymer-based gel muscle represents an exciting development that is sure to have broad repercussions on such areas of industry as medical devices and robotics. Imagine a solar-powered robot that can move with the same organic movement as a human being or a medical brace that could improve the users strength with sunlight. Once researchers are able to work the kinks out of this amazing new compound, the engineering applications would be limitless. However, as always, additional testing is required!
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