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CeFlowBot: A Biomimetic Flow-Driven Microrobot that Navigates under Magneto-Acoustic Fields
Sumit Mohanty1, Aniruddha Paul1,2, Pedro M Matos1
1Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, Enschede, NB, 7522, The Netherlands.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 10, 2021
Summary
Cephalopod-inspired microrobots, CeFlowBots, use acoustically driven bubbles for propulsion and fluid pumping. These untethered robots navigate and manipulate objects for potential clinical applications like targeted drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Biomimicry and Robotics
- Acoustic Manipulation
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Cephalopods utilize jet propulsion for locomotion.
- Acoustically powered microsystems can function as microfluidic pumps.
- Lab-on-a-chip devices require efficient micro-pumping mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an untethered microrobot, CeFlowBot, mimicking cephalopod propulsion.
- To utilize acoustically resonant bubbles for fluid pumping and microrobot propulsion.
- To demonstrate magneto-acoustic control and manipulation capabilities of CeFlowBots.
Main Methods:
- Employing an array of acoustically resonant bubbles within the CeFlowBot.
- Functionalizing CeFlowBots with magnetic layers for steered locomotion.
- Modulating acoustic power for object grasping and release.
- Utilizing ultrasound imaging for microrobot visualization and tracking.
Main Results:
- CeFlowBots demonstrated propulsion via acoustically driven bubble arrays.
- Magneto-acoustic fields enabled controlled navigation and manipulation.
- Acoustic power modulation facilitated targeted object grasping and release.
- Ultrasound imaging provided effective visualization in complex environments.
Conclusions:
- CeFlowBots offer a novel approach to microrobot propulsion and manipulation.
- The biomimetic design enables efficient fluid pumping and untethered locomotion.
- Potential applications include targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive procedures.
- Ultrasound imaging is crucial for deploying microrobots in inaccessible environments.
