Biohybrid Jellyfish to Push Boundaries of Deep-Sea Exploration

Exploring the mysteries of the ocean depths has long been an irresistible challenge for scientists. Like the vastness of space, the ocean remains largely uncharted territory, with its depths holding valuable information that could provide important insights into our planet’s climate and ecosystems. In a unique effort to unlock this information, researchers at Caltech have turned to the fusion of 3D printing technology with an unlikely ally: the jellyfish. By designing 3D printed enhancements for jellyfish, researchers aim to better navigate the ocean to collect valuable data on one of Earth’s largest ecosystems.

Inspired by the graceful movements and immense adaptability of jellyfish, Dr. John Dabiri, Centennial Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering at Caltech, and his team are pioneering the development of biohybrid jellyfish. These jellyfish, which have been fastened with 3D printed enhancements and sensors, can be thought of as “cyborg” counterparts.

Biohybrid jellyfish with fitted forebodies and sensors (Photo Credits: Caltech)

This innovation relies heavily on 3D printing to fabricate custom-designed forebodies attached to the top of the jellyfish’s bell to improve buoyancy and reduce drag. Dr. Dabiri’s team also equipped the jellyfish with specialized electronic pacemakers, enabling precise control of their swimming speed. These experiments revealed that by encouraging jellyfish to swim at speeds beyond their natural leisurely pace, they become even more proficient. The jellyfish could surpass their typical speed by more than four times despite using only twice as much energy, even while carrying a payload.