Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range
Abstract Muscle loss can severely affect movement and physiological functions, driving interest in artificial muscle development. Although various soft actuators exist, ensuring biocompatibility—especially in terms of heat transfer and non-cytotoxicity—remains a key challenge. To address these issue...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Communications Materials |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00893-1 |
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| author | Adéla Slavíková Benjamin C. Baker Marcos Villeda-Hernandez Annabel Coekin Julia Kwasniewska Tim Good Mina Aleemardani Heidi Snethen James P. K. Armstrong Charl F. J. Faul |
| author_facet | Adéla Slavíková Benjamin C. Baker Marcos Villeda-Hernandez Annabel Coekin Julia Kwasniewska Tim Good Mina Aleemardani Heidi Snethen James P. K. Armstrong Charl F. J. Faul |
| author_sort | Adéla Slavíková |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Muscle loss can severely affect movement and physiological functions, driving interest in artificial muscle development. Although various soft actuators exist, ensuring biocompatibility—especially in terms of heat transfer and non-cytotoxicity—remains a key challenge. To address these issues, here we develop Bio35, a low-voltage (3.6 V) electrothermal actuator that operates at mild hyperthermic temperatures (38.9 °C). Bio35 is synthesized using a one-pot, solvent-free process with Epikote 828, poly(propyleneglycol) bis (2-amino-propyl-ether) (PPG), and 1,4-diamino-diphenyl-sulfone (DDS). It demonstrates high chemical stability, maintaining actuation performance after more than 100 cycles over 200 min. Initial biological tests confirm that these materials are biocompatible and non-cytotoxic. As proof of concept, we demonstrate two systems: a simple gripper capable of holding objects up to 225 mg and a sphincter-like valve, showcasing its potential for use in treating conditions like urinary incontinence, where precise, muscle-like actuation is critical for function. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af0f163e86bb49908fd56dcefcbf5bd3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2662-4443 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-af0f163e86bb49908fd56dcefcbf5bd32025-08-20T03:05:15ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Materials2662-44432025-08-01611810.1038/s43246-025-00893-1Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature rangeAdéla Slavíková0Benjamin C. Baker1Marcos Villeda-Hernandez2Annabel Coekin3Julia Kwasniewska4Tim Good5Mina Aleemardani6Heidi Snethen7James P. K. Armstrong8Charl F. J. Faul9School of Chemistry, University of BristolSchool of Chemistry, University of BristolSchool of Chemistry, University of BristolSchool of Chemistry, University of BristolSchool of Chemistry, University of BristolNIHR Long Term Conditions HealthTech Research Centre, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustDepartment of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of BristolDepartment of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of BristolDepartment of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of BristolSchool of Chemistry, University of BristolAbstract Muscle loss can severely affect movement and physiological functions, driving interest in artificial muscle development. Although various soft actuators exist, ensuring biocompatibility—especially in terms of heat transfer and non-cytotoxicity—remains a key challenge. To address these issues, here we develop Bio35, a low-voltage (3.6 V) electrothermal actuator that operates at mild hyperthermic temperatures (38.9 °C). Bio35 is synthesized using a one-pot, solvent-free process with Epikote 828, poly(propyleneglycol) bis (2-amino-propyl-ether) (PPG), and 1,4-diamino-diphenyl-sulfone (DDS). It demonstrates high chemical stability, maintaining actuation performance after more than 100 cycles over 200 min. Initial biological tests confirm that these materials are biocompatible and non-cytotoxic. As proof of concept, we demonstrate two systems: a simple gripper capable of holding objects up to 225 mg and a sphincter-like valve, showcasing its potential for use in treating conditions like urinary incontinence, where precise, muscle-like actuation is critical for function.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00893-1 |
| spellingShingle | Adéla Slavíková Benjamin C. Baker Marcos Villeda-Hernandez Annabel Coekin Julia Kwasniewska Tim Good Mina Aleemardani Heidi Snethen James P. K. Armstrong Charl F. J. Faul Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range Communications Materials |
| title | Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range |
| title_full | Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range |
| title_fullStr | Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range |
| title_short | Biocompatible low-voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range |
| title_sort | biocompatible low voltage electrothermal actuators with biological operational temperature range |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00893-1 |
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