Soft robotics & bioelectronics

The convergence of biofabrication, materials science, and electronics is expanding bioprinting beyond tissue engineering. Researchers are combining advanced biomaterials with responsive polymers, conductive materials, and living cells. These combinations enable constructs that replicate biological structures and exhibit dynamic or functional behavior.

These next-generation biofabricated systems are opening new opportunities in fields such as soft robotics and bioelectronics. In these fields, adaptability, flexibility, and biological compatibility are essential design requirements.

Shape-morphing materials for soft robotics

The concept of 4D bioprinting extends beyond regenerative medicine. It is also gaining more and more attending in the field of soft robotics, where smart materials are engineered to change their shape or function upon external stimuli such as heat, light, moisture or electrical signals. These materials can mimic natural movements, for example, by creating muscle-like fibers that contract or flexible tissues that enable robotic systems to move more naturally. 

Another exciting frontier is the integration of biology with electronics. Bioelectronics such as flexible wearable sensors to measure oxygen or glucose are research goals for future medicine sensors toe of trackers require the combination of biocompatible and flexible materials and electronics.

Sources and references:

• Chiesa et al., October 2023, MDPI Materials, 4D Printing Shape-Morphing Hybrid Biomaterials for Advanced Bioengineering Applications, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206661
• Pan et al., April 2024, Frontiers in Electronics, Electromagnetic based flexible bioelectronics and its applications, doi: 10.3389/felec.2024.1240603
• Qaiser et al., January 2026, npj Flexible Flectronics, Mechanics and bio-interface engineering in flexible biosensors for continuous health monitoring, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00524-2
• Silvani et al., November 2021, Advanced Therapeutics, A 3D-Bioprinted Vascularized Glioblastoma-on-a-Chip for Studying the Impact of Simulated Microgravity as a Novel Pre-Clinical Approach in Brain Tumor Therapy, DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100106, DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100106
• R. Barros et al., February 2025, Materials Today Bio, A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101399

Micro-physiological systems (PS models)

Another exciting development is the rise of micro-physiological systems (MPS), often referred to as organ-on-a-chip. These miniaturized models integrate bioprinting, biomaterials, and microfluidics to recreate tissue-level function in vitro.

These systems include tiny channels to continuously supply nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products, closely mimicking the conditions found inside tissues.

Controlled perfusion and nutrient delivery make these systems well suited for disease modelling, drug screening and toxicity testing under physiologically relevant conditions. Combining extrusion based and DLP bioprinting allows the fabrication of increasingly complex and vascularized MPS models.

Sources and references:

• Hwang et al., October 2025, Small Journal, Augmented 3D Printing for Multiscale Microphysiological Systems, DOI: 10.1002/smll.202504750
• M. N. Cao et al., February 2023, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Microfluidic Organ-on-A-Chip: A Guide to Biomaterial Choice and Fabrication, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043232
• Silvani et al., November 2021, Advanced Therapeutics, A 3D-Bioprinted Vascularized Glioblastoma-on-a-Chip for Studying the Impact of Simulated Microgravity as a Novel Pre-Clinical Approach in Brain Tumor Therapy, DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100106, DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100106
• R. Barros et al., February 2025, Materials Today Bio, A human skin-on-a-chip platform for microneedling-driven skin cancer treatment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101399

Microfluidics

Organ-on-a-chip models combine biofabrication and microfluidic chips to mimic vascularization and facilitate the delivery and retrieval of nutrients and oxygen in engineered tissue models. These models reflect functional in vitro constructs to recapitulate the fluidic environment in tissues, including vascular networks.

By combining DLP and Extrusion based bioprinting, it is possible to create vascularized microfluidic chips from biomaterials or biocompatible materials, either with or without cells. These chips can subsequently be embedded within cell-laden constructs using extrusion-based bioprinting.

These advanced tissue models are widely implemented in drug screening and disease modeling, as they enable the recreation of physiological and pathological tissue microenvironments.

Sources and references:

• M. N. Cao et al., February 2023, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Microfluidic Organ-on-A-Chip: A Guide to Biomaterial Choice and Fabrication, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24043232
• Hwang et al., October 2025, Small Journal, Augmented 3D Printing for Multiscale Microphysiological Systems, DOI: 10.1002/smll.202504750