On-Command Disassembly of Microrobotic Superstructures for Transport and Delivery of Magnetic Micromachines
Abstract
Magnetic microrobots have been developed for navigating microscale environments by means of remote magnetic fields. However, limited propulsion speeds at small scales remain an issue in the maneuverability of these devices as magnetic force and torque are proportional to their magnetic volume. Here, a microrobotic superstructure is proposed, which, as analogous to a supramolecular system, consists of two or more microrobotic units that are interconnected and organized through a physical (transient) component (a polymeric frame or a thread). The superstructures consist of microfabricated magnetic helical micromachines interlocked by a magnetic gelatin nanocomposite containing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). While the microhelices enable the motion of the superstructure, the IONPs serve as heating transducers for dissolving the gelatin chassis via magnetic hyperthermia. In a practical demonstration, the superstructure's motion with a gradient magnetic field in a large channel, the disassembly of the superstructure and release of the helical micromachines by a high-frequency alternating magnetic field, and the corkscrew locomotion of the released helices through a small channel via a rotating magnetic field, is showcased. This adaptable microrobotic superstructure reacts to different magnetic inputs, which can be used to perform complex delivery procedures within intricate regions of the human body. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000649817Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Advanced MaterialsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Wiley-VCHSubject
magnetic hyperthermia; magnetic navigation; microrobots; targeted delivery; two-photon lithographyOrganisational unit
03627 - Nelson, Bradley J. / Nelson, Bradley J.
08705 - Gruppe Pané Vidal
02205 - FIRST-Lab / FIRST Center for Micro- and Nanoscience
Funding
952152 - MAgnetically steerable wireless Nanodevices for the tarGeted delivery of therapeutic agents in any vascular rEgion of the body (EC)
198643 - Understanding Pollen Tube Growth Inspires the Design of Autonomous Soft Robots (SNF)
22-2 ETH-040 - ETH Grant application 22-2 ETH-040: Small-Scale Robotic Superstructures with Multifunctionality Reconfigurability, and Deployability (ETHZ)
197017 - Flexible Electronics meets µ-Robotics: Route for Augmented Bio-Intelligent Medical Treatments (SNF)
861145 - Magnetoelectrics Beyond 2020: A Training Programme on Energy-Efficient Magnetoelectric Nanomaterials for Advanced Information and Healthcare Technologies (EC)
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