Harvard Researchers Develop 3D Printing Method for Soft Robots

New fabrication technique allows for rapid customization of shape-morphing devices.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new 3D printing method for creating soft robots with customizable shape-morphing capabilities. The approach combines several existing 3D printing techniques to produce flexible filaments with precisely placed hollow channels that can be pressurized to make the robots bend and deform in predetermined ways, without the need for traditional molds or casts.

Why it matters

Soft robots made from flexible, biocompatible materials are in high demand across industries, but designing and controlling them for specific purposes has been a challenge. This new 3D printing technique offers a simpler fabrication process that allows for rapid customization, opening up new possibilities for applications ranging from surgical robotics to assistive devices.

The details

The new method, led by graduate student Jackson Wilt and former postdoctoral researcher Natalie Larson in the lab of Jennifer Lewis at Harvard, combines the university's rotational multimaterial 3D printing technique with the creation of filaments made from a polyurethane outer shell and an inner channel of a polymer commonly found in hair gels. By precisely controlling the printer nozzle's design, rotation speed, and material flow rate, the researchers were able to program the orientation, shape, and size of each inner channel. After washing away the inner channel, the result was a tubular structure with hollow passages that can be pressurized to make the robot bend, expand, contract, and grasp in different directions.

  • The study describing the new fabrication method was published in Advanced Materials on February 20, 2026.

The players

Jennifer Lewis

The Hansjorg Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering in the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) at Harvard University, and the senior author of the study.

Jackson Wilt

A graduate student in the Lewis lab and the lead author of the study.

Natalie Larson

A former postdoctoral researcher in the Lewis lab and a co-author of the study, who is now an assistant professor at Stanford University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We use two materials from a single outlet, which can be rotated to program the direction the robot bends when inflated. Our goals are aligned with creating soft, bio-inspired robots for various applications.”

— Jackson Wilt, Graduate student (Mirage News)

“In this work, we don't have a mold. We print the structures, we program them rapidly, and we're able to quickly customize actuation.”

— Jackson Wilt, Graduate student (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further develop and refine the 3D printing technique to create more complex and versatile soft robotic devices for a range of applications.

The takeaway

This new 3D printing method for soft robots represents a significant advancement in the field, offering a simpler fabrication process that enables rapid customization and programming of shape-morphing capabilities. The potential applications span industries, from healthcare to manufacturing, and could lead to the development of innovative soft robotic solutions.