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INNOVATION
3D printable and biocompatible hydrogel-colloid hybrid bionic muscles (BM) powered by light which mimic functioning of animal muscles
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Market Maturity: Exploring
These are innovations that are actively exploring value creation opportunities. Learn more
Market Creation Potential
This innovation was assessed by the JRC’s Market Creation Potential indicator framework as having a High” level of Market Creation Potential. Only innovations that are showing multiple signals of market creation potential are assigned a value under this indicator system. Learn more
Women-led innovation
A woman had a leadership role in developing this innovation in at least one of the Key Innovator organisations listed below.
Go to Market needs
Needs that, if addressed, can increase the chances this innovation gets to (or closer to) the market incude:
  • Prepare for Market entry
  • Secure capital
  • Scale-up market opportunities
Location of Key Innovators developing this innovation
Key Innovators
UN Sustainable Development Goals(SDG)
This innovation contributes to the following SDG(s)
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 3
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

The UN explains: "Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing some of the common killers responsible for child and maternal mortality.

Major progress has also been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation, reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

However, many more efforts are needed to control a wide range of diseases and address many different persistent and emerging health issues."

The EU-funded Research Project
This innovation was developed under the Horizon Europe project INTEGRATE with an end date of 31/05/2026
  • Read more about this project on CORDIS
Description of Project INTEGRATE
State-of-the art implantable actuating devices, such as automated prosthetics, have time-limited operational capacities because they are sustained by batteries which, ultimately, rely on external power sources to be recharged. INTEGRATE proposes a radically new way to solve this problem: use metabolic energy from the patient to power implanted devices. To achieve this ambitious goal, INTEGRATE will develop i) new 3D printable soft actuating materials inspired by human muscles whit high performances and low power consumption and ii) an artificial organ capable of harvesting metabolic (biochemical) energy and transform it into electricity. The actuating materials (Bionic Muscles) will be prepared via self-assembly of biocompatible colloidal liquid crystals and stimuli-responsive polymers. A modular design and 3D printability will offer the possibility to manufacture these materials on the basis of patient’s anatomy and needs. The Energy-Harvesting Organ will be capable of converting pH differences within various body fluids (e.g. gastric juice and saliva) in electricity with high efficiency, providing the necessary power to sustain the Bionic Muscles. This research will revolutionize the field of implantable devices and will represent a turning point in robotics, wearable technologies, materials science, energy conversion, and materials engineering.

Innnovation Radar's analysis of this innovation is based on data collected on 12/09/2023.
The unique id of this innovation in the European Commission's IT systems is: 114306