Tiny Robots That Think and Swim on Their Own

A Breakthrough in Microrobotics

• Size: Smaller than a grain of salt (200 by 300 by 50 micrometers)
• Capabilities: Move, sense surroundings, make decisions autonomously
• Power Source: Light (can operate for months without stopping)

Research Collaboration

• Institutions: University of Pennsylvania and University of Michigan
• Publications:
• Science Robotics
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Innovative Movement Mechanism

• No mechanical limbs: Use tiny electrical fields to push ions in fluid
• Autonomous operation: Solar cell-powered processors enable independent decision-making
• Communication: Through patterned movements

Applications

• Medical: Monitor biological processes at the cellular level
• Diagnostics: Support medical diagnostics
• Engineering: Assemble tiny devices
• Research: Open new avenues for research and engineering at microscopic scales

Advantages Over Previous Microrobots

• No external controls needed: Unlike magnetic fields or physical tethers
• Mass-producible: Low-cost production for scalable applications