Potentials of textile fibers

10/26/2023

At North Carolina State University, the potential of textile fibers to change shape and force was studied and optimized (fiber robots). The goal of the studies was to develop fibers that can generate and contract force like a muscle for future 3 D model development in living, moving systems.

A feasibility study was conducted in which the fibers acted as scaffolds for living cells (scaffolds). Fibroplasts were used for the fiber robots, a type of cell found in connective tissues that supports other tissues or organs.

The cells were able to cover and even penetrate the braided sheath of the fiber robot. However, if the contraction of the fiber robot exceeded a maximum value, a decrease in the metabolic activity of the cells was observed compared to a stationary reference sample.

The research team further plans to use the fibers as a 3D biological model and investigate whether the movement would affect cell division. Compared to previous experimental two-dimensional strain models, this would allow models to more closely resemble reality in 3D.

The study, titled "Development of a Pneumatic-Driven Fiber-Shaped Robot Scaffold for Use as a Complex 3D Dynamic Culture System," was published 21.4.23 published online in Biomimetics.

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