Researchers developed a multipurpose fish-shaped microrobots — called microfish — that swim around efficiently in liquids, are chemically powered by hydrogen peroxide and magnetically controlled.
They used an innovative 3D printing technology to develop this microrobots.
These proof-of-concept synthetic microfish will inspire a new generation of “smart” microrobots that have diverse capabilities such as detoxification, sensing and directed drug delivery.
The technique used to fabricate the microfish provides numerous improvements over other methods traditionally employed to create microrobots with various locomotion mechanisms, such as microjet engines, microdrillers and microrockets.
Most of these microrobots are incapable of performing more sophisticated tasks because they feature simple designs — such as spherical or cylindrical structures — and are made of homogeneous inorganic materials.
The researchers published their research in the Aug. 12 issue of the journal Advanced Materials. In this new study, researchers demonstrated a simple way to create more complex microrobots.
They have combined Chen’s 3D printing technology with Wang’s expertise in microrobots. The team was able to custom-build microfish that can do more than simply swim around when placed in a solution containing hydrogen peroxide.
Nanoengineers were able to easily add functional nanoparticles into certain parts of the microfish bodies. They installed platinum nanoparticles in the tails, which react with hydrogen peroxide to propel the microfish forward, and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the heads, which allowed them to be steered with magnets.
http://www.rtoz.org/2015/08/27/3d-printed-microfish-capable-of-removing-and-sensing-toxins/