Miniaturized mechano-bionic systems with a muscle-powered bioactuator

Biological cells have a variety of high performance functions using chemical energy from oxygen and nutrients and no electrical energy. We have proposed a novel use of pulsating heart cells as mechanical micro actuators. Here we propose a novel bio-actuated power generator combined with the contractile force of heart muscle cells and piezoelectric fiber as a material combination to convert vibrational energy into electrical energy. Further, we propose a novel design for a tube-type micropump powered by the contractile force of heart muscle cells. In this paper, these principles and the prototypes are shown.