Biohybrid microrobots are being developed in collaboration with the Tissue Fabrication and Mechanobiology Lab. In order to improve device performance modeling techniques are needed which minimize computational costs and reduce barriers of entry for new researchers.
To this end we are investigating the possibility of simulating cellular contraction using the thermal contraction capabilities in commercially available Finite Element Analysis tools. A preliminary study has been performed to calibrate the Thermal Expansion Coefficient (TEC) based on experimental results using cardiomyocyte powered cantilevers reported in existing literature. Based on these results an initial range of TEC values has been developed.