China3D printingNet December 4th, scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a miniature3D printingA micro robot that can deliver drug payloads through human blood vessels.
By combining soft lithography technology with electrochemical deposition technology, the team was able to create a multi-material robot that can be controlled by a magnetic field. In the future, scientists believe that their biocompatible micro-robots can be injected into patients during surgical procedures and used to treat diseases remotely.
Carlos Alcântara, one of the two main authors of the paper, said: “Metals and polymers have different properties, and both materials have certain advantages in manufacturing micromachines. Our goal is to integrate Combine the two and benefit from all these features at the same time.”
Multi-material3D printingComplexity
Interlocking mechanical structures have been widely used in macro-mechanics and nano-systems (such as molecular shuttles), but they still cannot be used on the micro-scale. Although they may be used in soft robots, they tend to be linked by organic synthesis, which prevents their integration with metal materials.
Although soft lithography and micro-transfer molding methods have shown promise in the past, interlocking parts made of different materials are still challenging. However, considering the medical potential of biodegradable robots with drug delivery containers, this issue has become a hot topic in additive research.
For example, scientists at the University of Oxford have used origami-inspired techniques to create micro-robots with shape-deformation functions, but they also have limitations. The level of adhesion between the materials of the robot is still poor, and it was found that the process itself only allowed a limited number of geometric shapes.
In order to fully realize multi-material micro-printing, the Zurich team proposed to “weave” different metals and gelatin together to form an integrated micro-robot. By adjusting the patterns of such net structures, scientists have also come to the theory that they can be designed to have certain application-specific characteristics.
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Each of their different micro-robot iterations” alt=”The Zurich team deployed the Nanoscribe 2PP system to
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Each of their different micro robots iterates” width=”620″ height=”370″ />
The Zurich team deployed the Nanoscribe 2PP system to3D printingEach of them iterates different micro robots. Picture from “Nature Communications” magazine.
New microprinting method at ETH Zurich
The Zurich team designed their miniature robots, which are characterized by their commonly used metal cages and spiral shapes, which are mechanically interlocked by polymer rods. Theoretically speaking, constructing a micro device in this way allows the cage to rotate freely inside, leading to rolling action and ultimately leading the robot to move.
To turn their model into a working prototype, the scientists used the Nanoscribe TPP system to fill the prefabricated mold, and then dissolved the template with a solvent.During this process, the team found that they were able to3D printingTwo different geometric shapes to produce an interlocking micro-robot.
Further tests have shown that the device can be made of shape memory polymers and loaded with colored dyes to enhance its drug delivery capabilities.According to China3D printingWang understands that the team can also use magnetic fields to resist various frictional forces and use different rotation methods to manipulate the robot.
Later, other models with PDMS hydrophilic frames were designed to give them the appearance of a rubber “boat”. These fluid-optimized devices can overcome great resistance to push themselves forward, thereby meeting another important requirement of the vasodilator drug delivery system.
Although the team admits that 2PP is still too slow to mass-produce its equipment, they still believe their method is successful. Through further research, the scientists believe that their robot can be used not only for drug delivery purposes, but also for the realization of surgical tools such as stents.
The researchers’ miniature robots have been shown to have a variety of different motion modes (as shown in the picture). Picture from “Nature Communications” magazine.
The endless progress of micro robots
In recent years, 2PP 3D printingThe high level of accuracy provided makes it possible to produce various miniature experimental robots, but their uses are often quite different.
Researchers at the University of Grenoble used 2PP and customizable beads to create a magnetically controllable Millenium Falcon. By changing the characteristics of a single magnetic bead, the team also believes that it is possible to create nanoscale microactuators for soft robotics applications.
Similarly, a team at Purdue University used 2PP to create distinguishable and trackable micro-robots. By patterning the device and deploying a magnetic field, researchers can monitor and control its progress from a distance.
A group of scientists from Linköping University also developed a set of micro-actuators for micro-robots, but instead used extrusion3D printing. These devices are made using charged polymers, which may be deformed after printing, and thus have 4D capabilities.
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