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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

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Hydrogel-Based Micro/Nanorobots for Advanced Biomedical Applications.

Gyunhee Cho1, Jongkuk Ko2, Yunwoo Lee1

  • 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Soongsil University, 369 Sangdo-ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea.

Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Hydrogel-based micro/nanorobots offer precise, minimally invasive biomedical applications. This review explores their design, propulsion, and challenges for clinical translation in areas like drug delivery and cancer therapy.

Keywords:
biomedical applicationsdrug deliveryhydrogelmicrorobot

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Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Robotics

Background:

  • Micro/nanorobotics leverages precision and minimal invasiveness for advanced biomedical applications.
  • Unique physical constraints at the micro/nanoscale require specialized design, materials, and actuation strategies.
  • Hydrogels present significant advantages but also limitations in micro/nanorobot development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent trends in micro/nanorobot development, focusing on hydrogel-based systems.
  • To comparatively analyze various propulsion strategies (magnetic, chemical, acoustic, optical, biohybrid) for micro/nanorobots.
  • To discuss applications, challenges, and future directions for clinical translation of micro/nanorobotic technologies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of current literature on micro/nanorobot design, materials, and actuation.
  • Comparative analysis of different propulsion mechanisms and their associated material requirements and biocompatibility.
  • Discussion of representative applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and cancer therapy.

Main Results:

  • Hydrogels offer unique properties for micro/nanorobot fabrication and functionality.
  • Various propulsion strategies exhibit distinct advantages and limitations regarding efficiency and biocompatibility.
  • Significant progress has been made in applying micro/nanorobots to targeted therapies and regenerative medicine.

Conclusions:

  • Hydrogel properties, actuation physics, and fabrication methods are critical for developing effective micro/nanorobots.
  • Overcoming challenges in material limitations, actuation efficiency, biocompatibility, and scalability is essential for clinical translation.
  • Further research is needed to realize the full potential of adaptive, biocompatible micro/nanorobotic systems in healthcare.