3D-printed microfluidic integrated magnetic robot for biofluid analysis

Microfluidic systems hold transformative potential for biosensing and diagnostic applications, yet conventional platforms remain constrained by complex fabrication processes, passive fluid control, and limited automation capabilities. To address these challenges, we develop a 3D-printed microfluidic integrated magnetic robot for autonomous biofluid processing. The additive manufacturing approach facilitates the monolithic integration of a unique unidirectional valve-channel, a pump microcavity, and a microstructured, conductive magnetic diaphragm. This integrated design eliminates complex assembly and external pumps, achieving impressive performance including magnetically actuated locomotion at speeds up to 2.45 mm/s and high-throughput directional fluid pumping with a maximum flow rate of 685 μL/min. Meanwhile, the embedded conductive network endows the robot with highly sensitive piezoresistive self-sensing capabilities of 59.95 MPa^-1. The robot can intelligently distinguish its operational status, such as locomotion versus pumping, by interpreting distinct real-time electrical signal waveforms. We demonstrate the robot's effectiveness in wireless drive-sensing tasks, including modular self-assembly, remotely controlled fluid transport, targeted drug delivery, and biofluid sampling. Furthermore, cell culture experiments confirm the robot's excellent biocompatibility, highlighting its potential for in vivo applications. This work presents a significant advancement towards fully automated, intelligent, and high-performance microfluidic systems for biofluid analysis.