Versatile microrobotics using simple modular subunits
Loading...
Authors
Cheang, U. Kei
Meshkati, Farshad
Kim, Hoyeon
Lee, Kyoungwoo
Fu, Henry C.
Kim, Min J.
Issue Date
2016
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The realization of reconfigurable modular microrobots could aid drug delivery and microsurgery by allowing a single system to navigate diverse environments and perform multiple tasks. So far, microrobotic systems are limited by insufficient versatility for instance, helical shapes commonly used for magnetic swimmers cannot effectively assemble and disassemble into different size and shapes. Here by using microswimmers with simple geometries constructed of spherical particles, we show how magnetohydrodynamics can be used to assemble and disassemble modular microrobots with different physical characteristics. We develop a mechanistic physical model that we use to improve assembly strategies. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of dynamically changing the physical properties of microswimmers through assembly and disassembly in a controlled fluidic environment. Finally, we show that different configurations have different swimming properties by examining swimming speed dependence on configuration size.
Description
Citation
Cheang, U. K., Meshkati, F., Kim, H., Lee, K., Fu, H. C., & Kim, M. J. (2016). Versatile microrobotics using simple modular subunits. Scientific Reports, 6(1). doi:10.1038/srep30472
Publisher
License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
2045-2322