Functional Protein Materials for Bioinspired Robotics

Recent progress in soft robotics has motivated the search for new robotic materials and actuators that can replicate biological functions and behaviors (such as sensing, healing, power, etc.) with various degrees of autonomy and complexity. Proteins are uniquely well-positioned to bring new solutions to these challenges, as they offer high versatility, specificity, and control in their self-assembly to regulate their emergent structures and properties. In this talk, we will introduce cephalopod-inspired proteins with a segmented block design that self-assemble into dynamic supramolecular networks that regulate the physical properties. We will demonstrate the dynamic properties of functional proteins in bioinspired swimming robots with programmable locomotion modes that integrate self-propelled protein motors and shape-morphing structures. The proposed design, which mimics the mechanisms of surface gliding and posture change of semiaquatic insects, offers solutions for autonomous swimming soft robots via untethered and orthogonal power and control. Furthermore, we will describe new directions in the design of protein-based self-healing materials, with healing strength and kinetics surpassing those typically found in other natural and synthetic soft polymers. This family of cephalopod proteins and their biosynthetic derivatives have opened new opportunities in bioinspired design for adaptive functional materials and soft devices with enhanced autonomy and durability, and we will demonstrate their implementation in self-healing, reconfigurable, and biodegradable soft actuators.