Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Torque Free Motion01:15

Torque Free Motion

883
The torque-free motion refers to the movement of a rigid body in space when no external torques are acting upon it. This type of motion can be observed in environments where there are no external forces or frictions, like in outer space. For example, a rotation of Mars in space is a torque-free motion. Mars is an axisymmetric object, meaning it has an axis of symmetry along which it rotates, designated as the z-axis. The rotating frame of reference is defined such that the center of mass of...
883
Mechanical Systems01:22

Mechanical Systems

709
Mechanical systems are analogous to to electrical networks where springs and masses play similar roles to inductors and capacitors, respectively. A viscous damper in mechanical systems functions similarly to a resistor in electrical networks, dissipating energy. The forces acting on a mass in such systems include an applied force in the direction of motion, counteracted by forces from the spring, a viscous damper, and the mass's acceleration. This interplay of forces is mathematically...
709
Three-Dimensional Force System:Problem Solving01:30

Three-Dimensional Force System:Problem Solving

1.4K
A three-dimensional force system refers to a scenario in which three forces act simultaneously in three different directions. This type of problem is commonly encountered in physics and engineering, where it is necessary to calculate the resultant force on the system, which can then be used to predict or analyze the behavior of the object or structure under consideration.
To solve a three-dimensional force system, first resolve each force into its respective scalar components. Do this using...
1.4K
Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies01:06

Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

790
Virtual work is a powerful method used to solve problems involving several connected rigid bodies. When the system is in equilibrium, virtual work is zero. This allows the calculation of the resulting forces when a system undergoes a virtual displacement. When attempting to analyze such a system, first, use a free-body diagram, where an independent coordinate represents the configuration of the links, and mark its deflected position resulting from the positive virtual displacement.
Next,...
790
Frictional Forces on Screws01:17

Frictional Forces on Screws

1.7K
Screws are characterized by a helical ridge known as a thread wrapped around a cylindrical shaft. They are commonly used as fasteners to hold objects together or to transmit power and motion in machines. One type of screw that is particularly useful for transmitting power is the square-threaded screw.
A jack with a square-threaded screw is a mechanical device used to lift heavy loads by applying a force at its handle. When the force is applied, the screw turns, raising the load. The screw can...
1.7K
Centrifugal Force01:06

Centrifugal Force

4.8K
Pseudo forces, or fictitious forces, appear to act on an object in motion in a rotating frame of reference with respect to an inertial reference frame. These forces are not real forces but rather mathematical constructs and are introduced to simplify calculations in a non-inertial frame while using Newton's laws of motion. Common examples of pseudo forces include centrifugal, Coriolis, and Euler forces. These forces are essential in fields such as mechanics, astrophysics, and fluid...
4.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Emergent and controllable behaviors of Janus swarmalator collectives.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Bioinspired milliscale near-boundary undulatory motion for fluid transport and adhesive locomotion.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Cross-link collective: Entangled robotic matter with cohesive motion.

Science robotics·2026
Same author

Fish-diversity-inspired multiple soft millirobot system with morphology-encoded selective control.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Genetically engineered human cell-based microrobots for selective cancer cell death.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Wireless electrostimulation implants enable sphincter neuromuscular improvement toward mixed urinary incontinence.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

Taphonomic analysis at Liang Bua reveals the behavioral and technological capabilities of <i>Homo floresiensis</i>.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Targeting granule initiation and amyloplast structure to create giant starch granules in wheat.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

A meta-analysis of carbon losses and gains from tropical moist forest degradation and regeneration.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Ancient DNA reveals elite dynastic rule among Iron Age Eurasian Steppe nomads.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Targeting astrocytic Dp71 attenuates BBB disruption after traumatic brain injury through WTAP-associated m<sup>6</sup>A regulation of MMP2.

Science advances·2026
Same journal

Pancreatic α cells are required for nutrient homeostasis by regulating dynamic β cell networks in islets.

Science advances·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Free-form Light Actuators &#8212; Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale
08:17

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Published on: May 25, 2016

9.7K

Fluidic torque-enabled object manipulation by microrobot collectives.

Steven Ceron1, Gaurav Gardi2, Kirstin Petersen3

  • 1Robotics Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Science Advances
|February 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microscopic robots generate fluid torque to manipulate objects. This study explores how controlling microrobot spin and position enables precise control over microscale systems and object actuation.

More Related Videos

Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration
10:53

Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration

Published on: October 13, 2019

7.5K
Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery
11:06

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Published on: November 14, 2015

9.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Free-form Light Actuators &#8212; Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale
08:17

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Published on: May 25, 2016

9.7K
Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration
10:53

Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration

Published on: October 13, 2019

7.5K
Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery
11:06

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

Published on: November 14, 2015

9.4K

Area of Science:

  • Microfluidics
  • Robotics
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Microscale systems operate in a low-Reynolds-number regime, characterized by strong viscous forces.
  • Fluidic manipulation and actuation of passive objects are significantly influenced by microrobot parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fluidic torque generated by magnetic microrobot collectives.
  • To explore the parameter space influencing fluidic interactions for microscale actuation.
  • To demonstrate novel applications of microrobot-generated fluidic torque.

Main Methods:

  • Physical experiments with magnetic microrobots.
  • Numerical simulations of fluidic interactions.
  • Analysis of microrobot collective behavior and emergent properties.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated bidirectional torque application to concentric ring structures.
  • Successfully actuated gear trains and rotated 3D objects using microrobot fluidic torque.
  • Observed dynamic self-assembly of ring structures and controlled absorption/expulsion of circular objects.
  • Identified emergent behaviors in microrobot collectives based on spin rate and object interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Microrobot collectives can generate exploitable fluidic torque for precise microscale manipulation.
  • Controlling microrobot parameters allows for versatile actuation of micro-objects and structures.
  • Emergent collective behaviors offer new possibilities for adaptive microscale systems.