Using gelatin and sugar as ink to print 3D soft robots is the result of what happens when engineering is combined with other fields.
A group of researchers at Johannes Kepler University Linz used various biodegradables as ink to print 3D soft robots. In their study, they showed how they developed their ink and how well it performed. Over several years, researchers have been trying to develop robots made out of soft materials, hence called "soft robots."
These robots are usually done to emulate water-living creatures. Researchers believe that this technology will lead to the development of tiny soft robots that can swim around inside of the body to disperse medications or to repair damaged tissue. Usually, soft robots are made out of non-biodegradable materials. Otherwise, it may result in the material dissolving in water, molding, and having a short lifespan. Their effort of using gelatin and sugar is a trailblazer.
Image credit: Andreas Heiden, David Preninger, Doris Danninger, Florian Hartmann, Soft Matter Physics Division, Johannes Kepler University
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