A5082186093- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications
- Advanced Materials and Mechanics
- Conducting polymers and applications
- Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Polymer Surface Interaction Studies
- 3D Printing in Biomedical Research
- Nanofabrication and Lithography Techniques
- Nonlinear Optical Materials Studies
- Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
- Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research
- Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity
- Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis
- Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
- Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
- Dielectric materials and actuators
Piaggio Aerospace (Italy)
2015-2025
Piaggio (Italy)
2006-2025
Italian Institute of Technology
2016-2025
Center for Micro-BioRobotics
2012-2021
Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica
2021
Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna
2004-2015
Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes
2004
University of Pisa
2004
A soft tactile sensor able to detect both normal and tangential forces is fabricated with a simple method using conductive textile. Owing the multi-layered architecture, capacitive-based highly sensitive (less than 10 mg 8 μm, for minimal detectable weight displacement, respectively) within wide force range (potentially up 27 N (400 kPa)) natural touch-like ranges (from about 0.5 1.8 N). Being flexible, soft, low cost, this represents an original approach in emulation of touch. Furthermore,...
An innovative processing strategy for fabricating soft structures that possess electric- and humidity-driven active/passive actuation capabilities along with touch- humidity-sensing properties is reported. The intrinsically multifunctional material comprises an active thin layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) in a double-layered structure silicone elastomer provides opportunity toward developing new class smart robotics. emergence responsive polymers fundamental...
Tetragonal barium titanate nanoparticles (BTNPs) have been exploited as nanotransducers owing to their piezoelectric properties, in order provide indirect electrical stimulation SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells. Following application of ultrasounds cells treated with BTNPs, fluorescence imaging ion dynamics revealed that the synergic is able elicit a significant cellular response terms calcium and sodium fluxes; moreover, tests appropriate blockers demonstrated voltage-gated membrane channels are...
Abstract Excessive and unwarranted administration of antibiotics has invigorated the evolution multidrug‐resistant microbes. There is, therefore, an urgent need for advanced active compounds. Ionic liquids with short‐lived ion‐pair structures are highly tunable have diverse applications. Apart from their unique physicochemical features, newly discovered biological activities ionic fascinated biochemists, microbiologists, medical scientists. In particular, antimicrobial properties opened new...
Microneedle (MN) patches consisting of miniature needles have emerged as a promising tool to perforate the
Abstract Electrically interfacing the skin for monitoring personal health condition is basis of skin‐contact electrophysiology. In clinical practice use stiff and bulky pregelled or dry electrodes, in contrast to soft body tissues, imposes severe restrictions user comfort mobility while limiting applications. Here, this work dry, unperceivable temporary tattoo electrodes are presented. Customized single multielectrode arrays readily fabricated by inkjet printing conducting polymer onto...
Abstract MXenes (viz., transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides) have emerged as a new subclass of 2D materials. Due to their outstanding physicochemical biological properties, gained much attention in the biomedical field recent years, including drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, biosensing. Additionally, incorporation into hydrogels has garnered significant interest engineering an electroactive mechanical nanoreinforcer capable converting nonconductive scaffolds...
Abstract Bio-responsive nanocomposites with facile fabrication and rational design are of great importance in the diagnosis treatment cancer. Herein, combination bioimaging due to presence QD controlled drug delivery via nanogel was employed for cancer treatment. To this aim, we fabricated a traceable bioresponsive fluorescent active composite by integrating creatinine-functionalized carbon dots (QD) into lecithin-inulin nanogel. Subsequently, PEGylation integration herceptin on were carried...
We describe the design and control of a new bio-inspired climbing robot designed to scale smooth vertical surfaces using directional adhesive materials. The robot, called Stickybot, draws its inspiration from geckos other lizards employs similar compliance force strategies climb including glass, tile plastic panels. Foremost among features are multiple levels compliance, at length scales ranging centimeters micrometers, allow conform maintain large real areas contact so that forces can...
This paper reports the rationale and design of a robotic arm, as inspired by an octopus arm. The arm shows peculiar features, such ability to bend in all directions, produce fast elongations, vary its stiffness. achieves these unique motor skills, thanks muscular structure, named hydrostat. Different muscles arranged on orthogonal planes generate antagonistic action each other hydrostat, which does not change volume during muscle contractions, allow bending elongation stiffness variation. By...
In this paper, we propose an absolutely innovative technique for the electrical stimulation of cells, based on piezoelectric nanoparticles. Ultrasounds are used to impart mechanical stress boron nitride nanotubes incubated with neuronal-like PC12 cells. By virtue their properties, these can polarize and convey stimuli stimulated present method exhibit neurite sprout 30% greater than control cultures after 9 days treatment.
Free-standing conductive ultra-thin films based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) are realized. A fabrication process a modified Supporting Layer technique is proposed that provides for the easy production of nanofilms having very large surface area with typical thickness tens nanometres. The free-standing can be manipulated, folded and unfolded in water many times without suffering from cracks, disaggregation or loss properties. After collecting them...
Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene, P(VDF‐TrFE)) and P(VDF‐TrFE)/barium titanate nanoparticle (BTNP) films are prepared tested as substrates for neuronal stimulation through direct piezoelectric effect. Films characterized in terms of surface, mechanical, features before vitro testing on SH‐SY5Y cells. In particular, BTNPs significantly improve properties the (4.5‐fold increased d 31 ). Both kinds support good viability differentiation. Ultrasound (US) is proven to elicit Ca 2+...
Abstract The investigation of the crossing exogenous substances through blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is object intensive research in biomedicine, and one main obstacles for reliable vitro evaluations represented by difficulties at base developing realistic models barrier, which could resemble as most accurately possible vivo environment. Here, first time, a 1:1 scale, biomimetic, biohybrid BBB model proposed. Microtubes inspired to brain capillaries were fabricated two‐photon lithography used...
In this letter, we report on the fabrication, characterization, and in vitro testing of structures suitable for cell culturing, prepared through two-photon polymerization a nanocomposite resist. More details, commercially available Ormocomp has been doped with piezoelectric barium titanate nanoparticles, bioinspired 3D resembling trabeculae sponge bone have fabricated. After an extensive preliminary demonstrated that both topographical cues these scaffolds are able to enhance differentiation...
In this study, a new simple, fast, and inexpensive technique for the preparation of free-standing nanocomposite ultrathin films based on conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) embedding iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) is presented. These nanofilms were fabricated by single step spin-coated assisted deposition in conjunction with release ("supporting layer technique") to detach them from substrate. Free-standing can be easily transferred onto...