Biomimetic artificial muscles for robotics and nanobots

Actuators are key components for moving and controlling a mechanism or system. However, the torque and efficiency of the current state-of-the-art actuators are insufficient and much lower than in humans. There are several applications (including prostheses, exoskeletons and running robots) where the unavailability of suitable actuators hinders the development of well-performing machines with capabilities comparable to a human. Remarkable, the power density and efficiency of electric motors are higher than a human muscle, so the problems of insufficient torque and efficiency resides in the transmission of the power and that the motors are not used at their highest efficiency.

A new paradigm focuses on the development of biomimetic muscles. These aim to replicate the functional versatility, adaptability, and efficiency of natural muscle tissue using engineered systems. By constructing these artificial muscles from modular unit building blocks, it is possible to achieve scalable, reconfigurable, and tunable actuation systems that mimic the hierarchical structure of biological muscles. Each unit block serves as a fundamental actuator, capable of contraction, force generation, and responsiveness to stimuli. When assembled into larger architectures, these blocks enable complex motion patterns, distributed control, and fault tolerance. Ultimately, this approach facilitates the creation of lifelike, multifunctional artificial muscles that can seamlessly integrate with biological environments or operate autonomously in engineered systems.

In this Ph.D. the unit building blocks of these artificial muscles will be explored.  Electrochemically actuated muscles serve as promising unit building blocks for biomimetic systems due to their ability to convert electrical energy directly into mechanical motion through controlled chemical reactions. These actuators typically rely on ion migration (ionics) and redox processes within soft and structured, ionically or electronically conductive materials to produce reversible expansion and contraction. Their low operating voltage and compatibility with flexible substrates make them ideal for integration into modular artificial muscle architectures.

You will join the a world-leading research hub for nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Here, you will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for microfabrication, materials characterization, and electrochemical testing, and collaborate with experts from different domains.

This project is ideal for candidates with a background in electrochemistry, materials science, or microfabrication, and a passion for solving real-world challenges for (nano)robotics.