China's fast, clean microrobot targets tiny fluid tasks in medicine

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Electric Power Research Institute have developed an advanced magnetic microrobot capable of manipulating tiny liquid droplets with unprecedented speed and precision. Utilizing a combination of neodymium magnetic particles, sugar, and a chemically stable polymer, the robot features a porous, hydrophilic surface that effectively attracts and controls fluids. Powered by strong neodymium magnets, this microrobot moves up to 20 times faster than previous models and can transport droplets nearly a milliliter in size, a significant capacity for microscale robotics. Its design emphasizes cleanliness and chemical stability, making it especially suitable for sensitive applications such as medical diagnostics and handling reactive chemicals. The microrobot demonstrates versatile fluid handling by merging droplets at low speeds to facilitate chemical reactions and splitting them at high speeds for diverse tasks. It operates effectively even in harsh chemical environments, including corrosive acids, without damage. This combination of speed, precision, and durability positions the microrobot as a valuable tool for automating small-scale chemical processes in laboratories, enhancing efficiency and safety, and potentially enabling minimally invasive medical procedures. The innovation addresses previous limitations in magnetic microrobotics, such as weak driving forces and contamination risks, through novel materials and engineering solutions.