Shaping Soft Matter: From Live Cell Tattoos to Hydrogel Transformers

Micro and nanopatterning of rigid materials such as semiconductors, metals, and dielectrics has revolutionized human life by enabling integrated circuits, microsensors, and smart phones. Imagine applying the same micro/nano patterning principles and multi-scale integration to hydrogels and living materials. We could then create adaptable implants, living robots, microphysiological systems, and homeostatic materials. <br/> This talk will describe our efforts to apply micro and nanoscale patterning and heterogeneous integration to hydrogels and living cells/organoids. I will describe the first demonstration of the patterning of live cells with nanolithographic arrays of gold dots and wires using a biocompatible biotransfer process. Integrating lithographic patterns on live cells offers the potential to create living material interfaces and incorporate electronic/optical tattoos. I will also describe shape-changing temperature responsive and DNA polymerization gels that display diverse functions such as gripping, locomotion, and complex programmable shape change. I will give examples wherein such hydrogel transformers can be applied widely, including for adaptive implants, soft-robots, digitally programmable materials, and automata. These studies indicate the potential for the design of a range of intelligent materials, robots, and integrated devices that have the touch and feel of biological matter.