Scientists discover a way to print robots using ink made from living cells

A team of scientists have developed a method to print robots using ink made from living cells, allowing them to create complex structures and machines with unprecedented precision.<br><br>The team from the University of California, San Diego, used a type of bio-ink called "cell-laden hydrogels," which are made from a mixture of cells and a gel-like substance. They were able to print the ink into complex shapes and structures using a 3D printing process called "inkjet bioprinting."<br><br>The researchers were able to create a variety of different robots, including a robotic hand that could grasp and manipulate objects, and a robotic fish that could swim through water. They were also able to print robots that could change shape in response to different stimuli, such as temperature or light.<br><br>The use of living cells in the ink allows the robots to be more flexible and adaptable than traditional robots, which are typically made from rigid materials like metal or plastic. The cells can also be programmed to respond to different stimuli, allowing the robots to interact with their environment in more complex ways.<br><br>The team believes that their method could be used to create a wide range of different robots, from simple devices that can perform specific tasks to more complex machines that can adapt to changing environments.<br><br>"We envision that our approach could be used to create a variety of different robots, from simple devices that can perform specific tasks to more complex machines that can adapt to changing environments," said Shaochen Chen, a professor of nanoengineering at UC San Diego and the leader of the research team.<br><br>The team's method is still in its early stages, and they are continuing to refine and improve their technique. However, they believe that it has the potential to revolutionize the field of robotics and enable the creation of robots that are more flexible, adaptable, and interactive than ever before.<br><br>"The use of living cells in the ink allows the robots to be more flexible and adaptable than traditional robots, which are typically made from rigid materials like metal or plastic," said Chen. "We believe that our approach could be used to create a wide range of different robots, from simple devices that can perform specific tasks to more complex machines that can adapt to changing environments."<br><br>While the technology is still in its early stages, the team believes that it has the potential to revolutionize the field of robotics and enable the creation of robots that are more flexible, adaptable, and interactive than ever before.