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Light-switchable swarming of biohybrid microrobots
Víctor de la Asunción-Nadal1, Casper Nisula1,2, Carmen Cuntín-Abal1,3
1Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Science Advances
|May 8, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a light-triggered method for controlling biohybrid microrobots using algae. This enables programmable swarming for applications like AI-assisted wound targeting.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Biotechnology
- Microscale Engineering
Background:
- Controlling microscale collective behavior is crucial for autonomous systems.
- Programmable assembly and collective behavior of biohybrid microrobotic swarms are challenging.
- Biohybrid microrobots show promise for targeted therapies and environmental remediation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a light-triggered approach for reconfigurable swarming of biohybrid microrobots.
- To utilize the green alga *Chlamydomonas reinhardtii* (CR) for programmable microrobot assembly.
- To demonstrate dynamic control over swarm shape, size, and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Leveraging the wavelength-dependent assembly and phototactic properties of *Chlamydomonas reinhardtii* (CR).
- Employing light exposure through mask openings to define desired swarm geometries.
- Implementing dynamic light modulation for real-time control of swarm dynamics (splitting, merging).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful reconfigurable swarming of CR-based biohybrid microrobots.
- Achieved dynamic modulation of swarm shape and size through light control.
- Showcased real-time swarm splitting and merging behaviors.
Conclusions:
- The attractive light-triggered method enables precise control over biohybrid microrobot swarms.
- This approach facilitates programmable collective behavior for advanced microrobotic applications.
- Explored potential for AI-assisted wound targeting using customized microrobot swarms.
