Researchers at the University of North Carolina have developed soft robots with electronic skin and artificial muscles that allow them to sense and adapt in real time. Funded by the National Science Foundation and the NIH, these robots mimic the interaction between muscle and skin, increasing the safety and effectiveness of in-body use.
Made from materials such as silver nanowires and conductive polymers, e-skin allows for a range of motion and gentle tissue attachment. Inspired by natural forms, robots can adapt to organs, continuously monitor conditions, provide treatment and are ingestible.
Key innovations include a gastric therapeutic gripper for pH monitoring and drug delivery, a robotic gripper for bladder volume measurement and stimulation and a robotic cuff for accurate blood pressure monitoring.
Devices tested in mice show potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics and treatment. The research, which involves several departments at UNC and other institutions, is aimed at long-term biocompatibility and stability, which promises a future of improved medical implants and better patient outcomes.
Source: Science Daily
