Biocompatible materials that mimic the structure and function of muscle tissues are highly desired for use as engineered tissues and next-generation medical devices. To this end, we have developed an artificial muscle made from composites of the natural biopolymer silk fibroin and conducting polymers. Using electrospinning, we are able to generate aligned nanofiber bundles of silk that mimic the structure of skeletal muscles. The silk fibers can then be infused with conducting polymers using a two-step chemical and electrochemical approach. The resulting bundles of individual, electroactive fibers undergo electromechanical actuation in biologically-relevant electrolyte solutions when low potentials were applied, thus mimicking the function of native muscles. The fabrication methods, stress and strain generation, and stability under repeated actuation for fiber bundles coated with different conducting polymer formulations will be presented.

Mimicking muscle fiber structure and function through electromechanical actuation of nanofiber bundles

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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