News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

Living Tissue Drives Small Robotic Devices

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

ETH Zurich researchers jointly designed cultured muscle and a hydrogel scaffold to convert contractions into larger movements. The devices measure about 1.5 centimetres.

Jumping and grasping have been demonstrated, but the tissue requires a nutrient solution. The work does not establish a robot ready for sustained real-world operation.

Source: ETH Zurich, via Tech Xplore, 2026-10-22. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-10-lab-grown-mouse-muscles-enable.html

Read and practise

1. What is converted into movement by the scaffold?

   1. Muscle tightening
   2. A change in paint colour
   3. The nutrient liquid turning solid

2. Which limitation prevents a claim of sustained real-world readiness?

   1. The scaffold cannot bend
   2. The tissue requires nutrient solution
   3. The devices have never been tested

Your turn

Distinguish a laboratory demonstration from a ready-to-use device.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/eth-living-muscle-tiny-robots-october-2026/level-3/