Microrobots, which are small-scale robotic devices, have the potential to enable non-invasive medical procedures that could revolutionize the field.
However, there are limitations that hinder this vision.
Currently, microrobots have limited functionalities, and rely heavily on external fields for wireless operation, which makes it difficult to execute complex movements and tasks.
As a result, microrobots are not very effective in moving through bodily fluids and tissues, which limits their use in medical applications.
This project aims to address this challenge by developing self-contained microrobots that can autonomously navigate complex 3D biological environments, such as soft body tissues.
The goal is to create microrobots that are capable of long-term monitoring and non-invasive interventions in delicate organs, such as the brain.
To achieve this, the project will establish a new method to design microrobots that are inspired by biological cells that naturally move through body tissues, like immune cells.
These cells move by continuously changing their shape, known as "amoeboid movement", which is powered by intracellular filaments and motor proteins.
The microrobots, called celloids, will consist of a swarm of active particles, each with a liquid body containing self-propelled and sensitive particles.
The particle swarm will be engineered to exhibit desired collective behaviours.
The celloids will adapt their morphology, sense environmental cues and control signals, and autonomously navigate soft tissue-like environments.
By taking inspiration from biological cells, the celloids aim to overcome the limitations of current microrobots and pave the way for revolutionary medical procedures.
