A chemotactic microrobot with integrated iridescent surface for optical-tracking

作者：Zhang, Yuzhao; Wang, Jingang; Yu, Haibo^*; Zheng, Jianchen; Zhao, Xiubao; Guo, Hongji; Qiu, Ye; Wang, Xiaoduo; Liu, Lianqing; Li, Wen Jung^*

来源：Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 472: 144222.

DOI：10.1016/j.cej.2023.144222

• Bio-inspired
• Structural color
• Micro-fabrication
• Responsive
• 4D printing

Recent advancements in materials, nanofabrication, actuation, and sensing have facilitated the development of untethered microrobots. However, realizing sub-millimeter-integrated microrobots with actuation, perception, and wireless communication capabilities remains elusive. In this study, we present the successful fabrication of chemotactic microrobots at the micron scale, featuring integrated iridescent structural color surfaces that can be utilized for robot motion control through optical tracking. Using a pH-responsive biopolymer as the carrier, we have created microrobots that employ bilayer joints, mimicking the actuation characteristics observed in arthropods. Additionally, biomimetic microstructures with structural color functionality have been incorporated onto the surface of the robots, serving as an optical-communication skin. The robots are actuated through reversible expansion triggered at the phase transition threshold of the biopolymer, while their geometric states and posture information are acquired by converting the volume strain into color variations. This research can potentially establish a critical pathway for developing state-feedback-controlled microrobots for future biomedical applications.

• 单位
  中国科学院研究生院