Feb.21, 2013
Specialists in art, design and robotics have been working together to explore ways in which live biological materials might be exploited to bring about movement or shape changes in physical objects.
Peter Walters from the University of the West of England in Bristol, UK, and colleagues, have created a novel, biologically-driven actuator: an "artificial heartbeat", powered by live biological material.
Pneumatic pressure released by live yeast causes a membrane to distend. Movement of the membrane is controlled by a valve activated by electricity produced by a microbial fuel cell. When the membrane is fully distended, the valve opens to release pressure, returning the actuator to its state of rest for another actuation cycle.
A 3D printer created the structure of the bio-actuator, the rigid components and also made the moulds used to cast flexible components in silicone elastomer material. 3D printing technologies enable physical objects to be fabricated directly from computer. Here the 3D printing process used in the fabrication of the bio-actuator is photopolymer jetting developed by Objet (now Stratasys) in which a liquid photopolymer resin is deposited by inkjet printing and immediately cured by ultraviolet light.
(Bio-actuator 3D printed working prototype)
This biologically-driven actuator will serve as a proof-or-concept "artificial heartbeat" for future use within bio-robotic art and design.
Check the video below:
Source: New Scientist
本站所有文章版权归3ders.org所有，未经许可不得翻译或转载。
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- 3D printing bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet
- Scientists create lifelike ears with 3D printing
- Toothbrush startup uses in-house 3D printers to prototype and manufacture
- Rolling a 3D printed 20-sided die as ancient Egyptians
- New test: Printing a gun on a Cube 3D home printer
- Developing Nissan DeltaWing racecar parts using 3D printing
- Stay ahead of competitors: send 3D-printed heads as resume
- 3D printing pen launches on Kickstarter, 100% funded in just some hours
- The world's first 3D printing pen launches on Kickstarter
- Launch of first 3D printed fountain pen: When technology and art merge…
- Create classic Zayger watches using 3D printing
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
