Ingest tiny robots to treat diseases

Research in microrobotics at EPFL and ETH Zurich means that in the future, we may be able to ingest tiny robots that deliver drugs directly to diseased tissue.

The team of scientists is led by Selman Sakar at EPFL and Bradley Nelson at ETH Zurich. Research in microrobotics on highly flexible and biocompatible microrobots is inspired by bacteria.

Nelson added, "Nature has developed a multitude of micro-organisms that change shape as their environmental conditions change. This basic principle inspired our design of microbots. The main challenge for us was to develop physics describing the types of changes we were interested in, and then to incorporate it into new manufacturing technologies. "

The challenge of creating a microrobot

Microbots are able to swim in liquids, change their shape if necessary and cross narrow blood vessels without compromising on speed or maneuverability. The devices consist of hydrogel nanocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles. This allows them to be controlled via an electromagnetic field.

The manufacture of miniaturized robots poses many challenges. Scientists have solved this problem using a folding method based on origami.

The new motion strategy uses embodied intelligence, which is an alternative to the clbadical computing paradigm implemented by embedded electronic systems.

Sakar explained, "Our robots have a special composition and structure that allows them to adapt to the characteristics of the fluid through which they pbad. For example, if they experience a change in viscosity or osmotic concentration, they change their shape to maintain their speed and maneuverability without losing control of the direction of movement. "

Left to their own devices

Deformations can be programmed in advance to optimize robot performance without the use of bulky actuators or sensors. The robots will automatically turn into the most efficient form, either by controlling the use of the electromagnetic field, or by allowing them to navigate by themselves in cavities using the fluid flow.