Bio-inspired circular soft actuators for simulating defecation process of human rectum.

Soft robots have found extensive applications in the medical field, particularly in rehabilitation exercises, assisted grasping, and artificial organs. Despite significant advancements in simulating various components of the digestive system, the rectum has been largely neglected due to societal stigma. This study seeks to address this gap by developing soft circular muscle actuators (CMAs) and rectum models to replicate the defecation process.

Economically viable electromechanical tensile testing equipment for stretchable sensor assessment.

The growing interest in soft robotics increases the demand for stretchable sensors. The high performance of stretchable sensors depends much on the linearity, reliability and hysteresis of the stretchable conductive materials. In the applications of conductive materials such as in dielectric elastomer actuators, a stretchable conductive material should maintain the conductivity while sustaining large and multiple cycles of stretch and release tests.

Flexible Electrohydrodynamic Fluid-Driven Valveless Water Pump via Immiscible Interface.

The conventional electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump is limited to pumping functional and dielectric liquids, which restricts its applications in fields like microfluidics, food safety, and materials production. In this study, we present a flexible water pump driven by EHD fluid, achieved by integrating valveless elements into the fluidic channel. Our approach leverages the water-EHD interface to propel the immiscible aqueous liquid and reciprocate this process using the nozzle-diffuser system.

A Review on Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) Pump.

In recent years, functional fluidic and gas electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pumps have received considerable attention due to their remarkable features, such as simple structure, quiet operation, and energy-efficient utilization. EHD pumps can be applied in various industrial applications, including flow transfer, thermal management, and actuator drive. In this paper, the authors reviewed the literature surrounding functional fluidic and gas EHD pumps regarding the following aspects: the initial observation of the EHD effect, mathematical modeling, and the choice of pump structure, electrode configuration, and working medium.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Micro and Smart Devices and Systems.

Micro and smart devices and systems are small, interconnected devices and systems that are designed to be highly functional, efficient, and convenient [...

Periodical propagation of torsion in polymer gels.

Gel actuators have potential in soft robotics. Although gel actuators can realize various motions like contraction, expansion, and bending, most require external inputs such as batteries and circuits. Herein we propose a periodical torsional motion hydrogel driven by chemical energy from the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction.

Intravenous Calcium Alginate Microspheres as Drug Delivery Vehicles in Acute Kidney Injury Treatment.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe problem associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. There are no reliable therapeutic interventions except dialysis that could improve survival, limit injury, or speed up recovery. Thus, it is essential to develop new therapies to treat AKI.

A DIY Fabrication Approach for Ultra-Thin Focus-Tunable Liquid Lens Using Electrohydrodynamic Pump.

Demand for variable focus lens is increasing these days due to the rapid development of smart mobile devices and drones. However, conventional mechanical systems for lenses are generally complex, cumbersome, and rigid (e.g.

A DIY Fabrication Approach of Stretchable Sensors Using Carbon Nano Tube Powder for Wearable Device.

Soft robotics and wearable devices are promising technologies due to their flexibility. As human-soft robot interaction technologies advance, the interest in stretchable sensor devices has increased. Currently, the main challenge in developing stretchable sensors is preparing high-quality sensors a simple and cost-effective method.

Autonomous oil flow generated by self-oscillating polymer gels.

The previously reported gel and polymer actuators require external inputs, such as batteries, circuits, electronic circuits, etc., compared with autonomous motions produced by the living organisms. To realize the spontaneous motions, here, we propose to integrate a power supply, actuators, and control into a single-component self-oscillating hydrogel.

The roles of TGF-beta1 gene transfer on collagen formation during Achilles tendon healing.

Collagen content and cross-linking are believed to be major determinants of tendon structural integrity and function. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 on the collagen content and cross-linking of Achilles tendons, and on the histological and biomechanical changes occurring during Achilles tendon healing in rabbits. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with the TGF-beta1 gene were surgically implanted into experimentally injured Achilles tendons.

Suppression of early experimental osteoarthritis by gene transfer of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-10.

Gene therapy offers a radically different approach to the treatment of arthritis. We demonstrated that cDNA coding for human interleukin-1 receptor-antagonist protein (IL-1Ra) and cDNA coding for human interleukin-10 (IL-10) can be delivered, by ex vivo techniques, to the synovial lining of joints, intra-articular expression of gene significantly reduced cartilage matrix degradation and cartilage breakdown. To achieve this, lapine synoviocytes were first transduced in culture by retroviral infection.