Engineered Multicellular Organisms for Self-Repairing Biological Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for designing and manufacturing machines are not scalable to organic life forms, which are self-renewing and biocompatible, as inorganic robotic lifeforms degrade, produce harmful side effects, and lack physiological robustness and capabilities of living organisms.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to design and manufacture completely biological machines by using computers to simulate and evolve configurations of multicellular organisms composed of passive and contractile cells, which can be actuated to move and perform various tasks, such as drug delivery and environmental remediation, by utilizing evolutionary algorithms and cell-based construction techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inorganic robotic lifeforms are used, then manufacturing precision and control are improved, but reliability and physiological robustness deteriorate due to degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from inorganic to organic, transitioning from robotic lifeforms to biological organisms. This parameter change enables self-repair capabilities, physiological robustness, and biocompatibility while maintaining controllability through genetic and environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite biological materials combining different cell types, tissues, and organisms to create engineered multicellular lifeforms with specialized functions. This composite approach allows integration of contractile cells for movement, sensory cells for detection, and various tissue types for structural support and functional specialization.
2Ease of manufacture
If inorganic robotic lifeforms are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance and environmental compatibility worsen due to harmful side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from inorganic to organic, creating biological organisms that naturally decompose and integrate with environmental systems. This eliminates harmful side effects associated with inorganic materials while maintaining manufacturability through controlled biological processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful degradation of inorganic materials into a beneficial natural decomposition process of organic materials. Biological organisms naturally break down and return nutrients to the environment, transforming waste into a resource and eliminating persistent pollution.
3Device complexity
If inorganic robotic lifeforms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate due to inability to self-renew
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service capabilities in biological organisms through self-repair, self-renewal, and self-regulation mechanisms. Organisms can heal injuries, regenerate tissues, and adapt to environmental changes autonomously, eliminating the need for external intervention and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static inorganic structures to dynamic biological systems that can change, adapt, and evolve. Organisms exhibit plasticity in their development, ability to regenerate, and capacity to learn and adapt to new environments, greatly enhancing versatility.
4Productivity
If evolutionary algorithms are used to design organisms, then productivity and design speed are improved, but device complexity increases due to computational requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses computational models to create virtual copies and simulations of biological organisms before physical creation. Evolutionary algorithms generate and evaluate numerous virtual designs, allowing rapid iteration and selection of optimal organisms without immediate physical manufacturing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary design and optimization actions through computational simulation and evolutionary algorithms before actual organism creation. This preliminary digital design phase identifies optimal characteristics and eliminates inferior designs, streamlining the subsequent physical manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the creation of functional, self-repairing, and biocompatible organic lifeforms that can perform specific tasks, such as locomotion, object manipulation, and collective behavior, with successful transfer of designed behaviors from simulation to real-world applications.
Implementation Method 1
the engineered multicellular organisms move when the contractile cells of the organism are actuated
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are engineered multicellular organisms. Also disclosed are systems and methods for designing, preparing, and utilizing the engineered multicellular organisms.