Adaptive locomotion of artificial microswimmers

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Robotics
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Bacteria exhibit remarkable plasticity, utilizing mechanical properties for taxis in diverse environments.
• Compliant structures are crucial for bacterial navigation in complex, structured settings.
• Bioinspired designs with large deformation capabilities offer potential for autonomous micro-scale devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of hydrodynamic forces and fluid rheology on low Reynolds number swimming.
• To identify the advantages and challenges of employing elastohydrodynamic coupling for locomotion.
• To develop a system for constructing untethered microrobots with self-regulated mobility.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of hydrodynamic forces and fluid rheology on microswimmer locomotion.
• Investigation of elastohydrodynamic coupling principles in artificial microswimmers.
• Development of machinery for fabricating untethered microrobots with adaptive mobility.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated adaptive locomotion in artificial microswimmers without onboard sensors.
• Showcased the influence of fluid dynamics and microrobot properties on movement.
• Established a link between structural/magnetic properties and fluid dynamics for locomotion.

Conclusions:

• Coupling structural and magnetic properties with fluid dynamics enables sensorless adaptive locomotion.
• Elastohydrodynamic coupling offers a viable strategy for autonomous microrobot navigation.
• This research paves the way for advanced, self-regulating micro-scale robotic systems.