Researchers tested the robots in a water tank equipped with an obstacle course. Science Advances
Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking innovation in robotics. They have created jellyfish-shaped robots that can be steered through underwater obstacle courses using only light.
This research has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery systems and fluid manipulation in lab-on-a-chip devices.
“Different from traditional robots, it is difficult to equip miniature soft robots with actuators and onboard sensors for motion and control,” stated the research.
“Therefore, independent control of multiple miniature robots is challenging as all magnetic robots receive the same control inputs in a single external field.”
The two building blocks
The soft robots, developed by a team led by Mengmeng Sun at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Germany, are composed of two main components: ferrofluid droplets and a hydrogel shell.
Ferrofluids are materials consisting of magnetic nanoparticles suspended in oil. Their unique properties allow them to be manipulated by magnets and light.
“We introduce a bimodal actuation strategy, merging magnetic and optical fields, for remote and programmable 3D guidance of individual ferrofluidic droplets and droplet collectives,” emphasized the researchers.
The secret behind these robots’ remarkable maneuverability lies in their unique reaction to light. When exposed to light, the ferrofluid droplets within the hydrogel shell heat up.
This heating causes tiny bubbles within the droplets to expand, increasing the overall buoyancy of the robot and enabling it to float upwards.
Simulating real-world challenges
To test the capabilities of these soft robots, the researchers constructed an underwater obstacle course within a water tank.
The course featured various platforms positioned at different heights, simulating real-world challenges these robots might face.
The jellyfish robots were directed through the course, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex underwater environments.
“Controlling droplets is crucial in various practical applications, spanning biomedical fields, chemical reactions, thermal regulation, water harvesting, and electronics,” remarked the researchers.
“These findings present an efficient strategy for droplet manipulation, broadening the capabilities of droplet-based robotics.”
Future research and vast applications
Hamid Marvi, a researcher at Arizona State University, envisions a future where swarms of these jellyfish robots are deployed within the human body. They could deliver drugs with unprecedented accuracy, target specific tissues, or even perform minimally invasive surgical procedures.
The use of a hydrogel shell further enhances their capabilities, as both the ferrofluid droplet and the hydrogel can be independently manipulated by light, allowing for complex movements and precise control.
“Such capabilities render droplet microrobots proficient in tasks ranging from cargo conveyance to micro-assembly, an advantageous trait particularly esteemed in the biochemical applications,” highlighted the study.
However, significant hurdles remain before such medical applications become a reality. One major concern is the safety of ingesting ferrofluids. Extensive research is needed to determine the potential risks and long-term effects of introducing these materials into the human body.
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Sun and his team are actively working to address these challenges. They are exploring alternative light sources, such as optical fibers, that could be used to control the robots within the body.
This would eliminate the need for external lasers and make the technology more suitable for medical applications.
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