3D polymeric materials as scaffolds for bio-hybrid actuation: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Biomechatronics is an emerging field in robotics where living organisms are interfaced with classical artificial electromechanical systems. Applications include the development of medical microrobotic devices and targeted drug delivery, artificial prosthetics and biomimetic robotic machines. Actuation is a core element of the mechatronic system, which allows the movement and locomotion of the machine. In the field of bio-hybrid actuation, higly efficient muscular cells are employed for this task, allowing higher performace and also capable of self healing and autonomous adaptation to the external stimuli. For this purpose, the development of suitable scaffolds to support the cells is necessary, requiring the tailoring of mechanical properties and the overall 3D structuring of the material. In this thesis, a polymeric material scaffold with a three-dimensional structure in the micrometer range based on polyurethane is investigated. Design and synthesis of the material with tailored mechanical properties is carried out, focusing on the biological interaction with the muscular cells. The stiffness of the polymer material structure is related to the output movement of the actuator and the overall performance of the device is optimized at the scaffold material level.