In a groundbreaking development, Case Western Reserve University has introduced the concept of "organic engineering," a new field that merges robotics with tissue engineering to create "biological hybrid robots." This emerging discipline is gaining momentum, as it combines 3D printing technology with the principles of both robotics and living tissues. The goal is to build machines that are not just mechanical but also biologically integrated, opening up exciting possibilities in bioengineering.
A key figure in this research is Dr. Vickie Webster-Wood, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Last year, she made headlines for developing a biohybrid robot inspired by jellyfish, which could swim using muscle cells from the creature. Her work involves attaching living muscle tissue to a 3D-printed polymer base, allowing the robot to move through an aqueous sugar solution when stimulated by electrical pulses.
Webster-Wood's research highlights the potential of organic engineering, where biological components are used to enhance or replace traditional robotic elements. However, she emphasizes that the field is still in its early stages. “This is a very young area of research,†she explains. “There’s no universal terminology yet, and researchers from different disciplines often use different words to describe similar concepts.â€
To address this, her team has proposed an “organizational key†to classify and discuss biological hybrid robots. This framework includes four main components: structure (the physical form, whether metal, plastic, or organic), actuator (what enables movement, like muscles or motors), sensor (how the robot perceives its environment, such as cameras or skin), and controller (the brain-like system, either a computer or a biological neural network).
Alongside this classification, they have also developed an “organized glossary†to help standardize communication within the field. “We want people to recognize that others have already explored these ideas,†Webster-Wood says. “It’s about building on existing knowledge rather than starting from scratch.â€
The potential applications of organic engineering are vast. By integrating living tissues into robotic systems, scientists can create more adaptive, efficient, and environmentally friendly machines. For example, biohybrid robots could be used in medical research, environmental monitoring, or even space exploration—where traditional materials may not perform as well.
Recent advancements in 3D printing have played a crucial role in making this possible. Techniques such as cell-injected hydrogels allow researchers to print complex structures that can support living cells. In Webster-Wood’s case, she uses 3D printing to construct a flexible polymer body for her jellyfish-inspired robot, which is then combined with real muscle cells.
While the field is still in its infancy, the future looks promising. As more researchers adopt the principles of organic engineering, we may soon see a new generation of robots that blur the line between the artificial and the organic. Webster-Wood’s work is just the beginning, and her efforts to unify terminology and methodology could shape the direction of this exciting field for years to come.
Her latest paper, titled “Organic Engineering: Keys to the Classification of Robots for Equipment Using Organic Materials,†was recently published in *Scientific Robotics*, marking an important step forward in this interdisciplinary area.
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