Advanced Applications in Microrobots

A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "A:Physics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 4456

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
Interests: functional design; MEMS/NEMS; dynamic simulation of multi-body systems; robotics; topology; tribology
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Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215131, China
Interests: micro/nanorobot; collective behaviour; targeted drug delivery; magnetic actuation; artificial intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Magnetic microrobots, with their ability to navigate and interact with their environment at the micro-scale, have garnered significant attention in recent years. These tiny robots, inspired by nature and enabled by advances in magnetism, materials science, and microfabrication, have shown great promise in various fields such as biomedicine, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications. Substantial progress has been made in magnetic microrobots, including the development of novel propulsion mechanisms, advanced control strategies, and innovative applications. For instance, magnetic microrobots have been used for targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgery, and microassembly. This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for researchers to share their latest advancements in Microrobots. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Novel propulsion mechanisms and control strategies for magnetic microrobots;
2) Biomedical applications of magnetic microrobots, such as targeted therapy and diagnostics;
3) Environmental monitoring and remediation using magnetic microrobots;
4) Industrial applications of magnetic microrobots, such as microassembly and manufacturing;
5) Future directions and challenges in the development of magnetic microrobots.

We invite researchers from academia, industry, and government to submit their original research articles, reviews, and perspectives on these topics.

Prof. Dr. Nicola Pio Belfiore
Dr. Xinjian Fan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • magnetic microrobots
  • micro-scale robotics
  • biomimetic robotics
  • microfluidics
  • microassembly
  • targeted drug delivery
  • micro-manipulation
  • soft robotics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 5146 KiB  
Article
Microgripper Robot with End Electropermanent Magnet Collaborative Actuation
by Yiqun Zhao, Dingwen Tong, Yutan Chen, Qinkai Chen, Zhengnan Wu, Xinmiao Xu, Xinjian Fan, Hui Xie and Zhan Yang
Micromachines 2024, 15(6), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15060798 - 17 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4132
Abstract
Magnetic microgrippers, with their miniaturized size, flexible movement, untethered actuation, and programmable deformation, can perform tasks such as cell manipulation, targeted drug delivery, biopsy, and minimally invasive surgery in hard-to-reach regions. However, common external magnetic-field-driving devices suffer from low efficiency and utilization due [...] Read more.
Magnetic microgrippers, with their miniaturized size, flexible movement, untethered actuation, and programmable deformation, can perform tasks such as cell manipulation, targeted drug delivery, biopsy, and minimally invasive surgery in hard-to-reach regions. However, common external magnetic-field-driving devices suffer from low efficiency and utilization due to the significant size disparity with magnetic microgrippers. Here, we introduce a microgripper robot (MGR) driven by end electromagnetic and permanent magnet collaboration. The magnetic field generated by the microcoils can be amplified by the permanent magnets and the direction can be controlled by changing the current, allowing for precise control over the opening and closing of the magnetic microgripper and enhancing its operational range. Experimental results demonstrate that the MGR can be flexibly controlled in complex constrained environments and is highly adaptable for manipulating objects. Furthermore, the MGR can achieve planar and antigravity object grasping and transportation within complex simulated human cavity pathways. The MGR’s grasping capabilities can also be extended to specialized tasks, such as circuit connection in confined spaces. The MGR combines the required safety and controllability for in vivo operations, making it suitable for potential clinical applications such as tumor or abnormal tissue sampling and surgical assistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Applications in Microrobots)
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