Fabrication of bio-actuators with molecular motors by stereolithography

Abstract

On the basis of our previous design, a fabrication system of bio-actuators with molecular motors was set up and tested. The system is aimed to produce bio-actuators with different functions by combining artificial substrate with artificial muscles. With stereolithography technology, a UV scanning system was built to fabricate artificial substrate from PEG-based hydrogels and artificial muscles from molecular motors in micro channels. Experiments of pattern of different artificial substrates and artificial muscles were carried out and the results show that the system is able to quickly fabricate artificial substrate and artificial muscles in various shapes and sizes with a high precision.