Renewable Self-Folding Origami Constructed from Bioengineered Bacterial Cellulose

This work presents the first genetically engineered cellulose actuator where the structural basis for actuation is directly encoded in the producing organism’s DNA. By modifying Komagataeibacter rhaeticus to secrete BslA protein and treating with NaOH, we create surface-activated bacterial cellulose that exhibits water contact angles 2.4 × greater than and water retention 8.2 × less than unmodified cellulose. Layering this hydrophobic BslA-activated cellulose with untreated bacterial cellulose produces a biofabricated actuator driven by differential strain during dehydration. The actuation follows the Timoshenko bilayer beam equation adapted for hydrogels and can be fabricated either by shaping mature pellicles or through direct growth in 3D-printed autoclavable molds. We demonstrate two applications with a self-folding bacterial cellulose origami crane and a biomimetic bacterial cellulose gripper capable of supporting more than 360 times its own weight. This approach represents a significant advance in sustainable soft robotics through the creation of fully renewable, biodegradable, and genetically programmable actuators.