Elektroniska mikrorobotar genom 3D tryckning

The purpose of this project is to develop materials and methods for additive manufacturing (3D printing), of advanced electronic microrobots.

These microrobots are based on nanocomposite hydrogel materials which can integrate electronic actuators, and other functions into a seamless 3D structure, enabling a new generation of fully organic intelligent system.

The project has three specific aims:1) To develop new hydrogel materials which can be 3D printed.2) To print actuators/muscles using these hydrogel materials.3) To  seamlessly integrate many actuators and other functions into a 3D printed microstructured robotic system.The research will be carried out in a four-year period by a full time employed postdoc and supervised by a main PI and a number of co-supervisors and external world renowned collaborators.The project covers a wide range of methods and techniques ranging from basic materials development and characterization, to technological development of 3D printing capabilities, as well as design and realization of integrated intelligent systems.The success of this project will enable a platform for fabricating advanced electronic microrobots, that are very small, but also soft and biocompatible.

These can therefore enable technological use in areas where small insect sized robots would be usefull (for example operating inside confided areas), but also inside living tissue (for example in advanced surgical tools).