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Bionics and Transduction Science

In the BTS unit we do research in the interface between biology, material science, transducers and microsystem technology.

graphic showing the three research areas

Starting from a perspective of application/user needs, we do applied and fundamental research in the areas of microphysiological devices (e.g. lab/organ on a chip), electroactive surfaces for cell biology, soft microactuators and soft microrobotics, and textile actuators and textile exoskeletons.

the image shows the group members outside on a sunny dayGroup members, Spring 2019

Research projects

Mechanostimulation chips

Microphysiological Systems

We are developing mechanostimulation chips that can mechanically stimulate single cells. Mechanotransduction pathways in the urinary tract are of special interest to us.

Textile exoskeletons and exoskeletons

By combining advanced textile manufacturing and conducting polymer actuators with have developed novel textile actuators.

Electroactive surfaces and scaffolds

In this project we look into various dynamic surfaces to control cell adhesion, signalling, proliferation and stem cell differentiation.

Soft microactuators and microrobotics

In this project we research on various soft microrobotics, used for development of medical devices such as steerable guide wires and catheters for minimal invasive surgery.

Skills, collaborations, teaching and funding

Principal techniques and skills

  • Microfabrication and photolithography

  • Soft lithography (PDMS)

  • Conducting polymers: synthesis (chemical, electrochemical), patterning (etching, printing, …)

  • Electroactive polymers

  • Electrospinning

  • Cell interactions/interfacing

  • Bioelectronics

  • Medical devices

  • Electro-mechanical characterisation (various lasers)

 

Laser Scanner Micrometer


Collaborations

The unit has many local, national and international collaborations from small projects to large scal EU projects. Our main collaborators are:

  • LiU IKE, Prof. Jan-Ingvar Jönsson
  • University of Borås, Sweden, Dr. Nils-Krister Persson
  • Universite de Cergy-Pontoise, France, Prof. Frederic Vidal and Dr. Cedric Plesse
  • Universiteit Twente, Netherlands, Dr Angelika Mader
  • University of Wollongong, Australia, Prof Geoff Spinks and Prof. Gursel Alici
  • Okayama University, Japan, Prof. Hiroshi Kamioka and Dr. Emilio Hara

Teaching

  • TFYA62 Introduction to biosensor technology
  • TFTB33 Microsystems and Nano-Biology
  • TFYY51 - CDIO Y, Med1
  • TBMT41 - CDIO Medical Technology (Y3 - BSc Project)
  • Lectures at TBTF40; TFTB34; TFYA63, TTMT19; MEA118/FA228

Funding

  • H2020-ICT-02
  • Fam.Erling Persson Foundation
  • Promobilia  2018-2019
  • VR 2015- 2018
  • EU-MSCA – ITN 2015-2018
  • Ollie & Elof Ericsson 2016, 2017
  • EU-MSCA-IF 2015-2016
  • Carl Trygger 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018

Publications

2024

Amaia Ortega Santos, Jose Gabriel Martinez Gil, Edwin Jager (2024) Synchronous Cation-Driven and Anion-Driven Polypyrrole-Based Yarns toward In-Air Linear Actuators Chemistry of Materials, Vol. 36, p. 9391-9405 (Article in journal) Continue to DOI
Claude Huniade, Jose Gabriel Martinez Gil, Shayan Mehraeen, Edwin Jager, Tariq Bashir, Nils-Krister Persson (2024) Textile Muscle Fibers Made by and for Continuous Production Using Doped Conducting Polymers Macromolecular materials and engineering (Article in journal) Continue to DOI
Bin Ni, Fengdi Li, Gabriela Ananieva, Loris Gelas, Cedric Vancaeyzeele, Giao T. M. Nguyen, Edwin W. H. Jager, Frederic Vidal, Cedric Plesse (2024) Comparative study of the influence of the ionic coatings on the performances of air-operating coiled carbon nanotubes yarn actuators ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER ACTUATORS AND DEVICES, EAPAD XXVI, Article 129450E (Conference paper) Continue to DOI

Contact

Head of unit 

Photo of Edwin Jager

Edwin Jager

Professor, Head of Division

Group members

Photo of Danfeng Cao
Danfeng Cao
Postdoc
Photo of Edwin Jager
Edwin Jager
Professor, Head of Division
Photo of Jose Gabriel Martinez Gil
Jose Gabriel Martinez Gil
Associate Professor
Photo of Shayan Mehraeen
Shayan Mehraeen
Assistant Professor

More about our research

Researcher holds a piece of cloth infront of face.

Your clothes will soon be extra muscles

Textile muscles is a young research field. In the long run, the technology can be built into clothes that can give an extra boost during heavy lifting, give hugs at a distance and help the visually impaired navigate the urban environment.
Edwin Jager, IFM, along with his co-applicant Nils-Krister Persson at Swedish School of Textiles

Continued funding for textile muscles

Edwin Jager (IFM) along with his co-applicant Nils-Krister Persson (Swedish School of Textiles) recently received the exciting news of continued funding for their project "Textile muscles for augmenting garments" from the Erling-Perssons Foundation.
A female PhD student assembles the experimental setup.

Bone growth inspired “microrobots” that create their own bone

Inspired by the growth of bones, researchers have developed a combination of materials that can morph into various shapes. The material is initially soft, but later hardens through a process that uses the same materials found in the skeleton.

Back to Sensor and Actuator Systems

Sensor and Actuator Systems

Sensor and Actuator Systems (SAS) conducts multidisciplinary research on all areas of transduction sciences from materials for sensors, and systems integration to cell free synthetic biology lab-on-a-chip detection and soft robots.

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