At Leiden University, Professor Daniela Kraft and researcher Mengshi Wei have created microrobots that move like living organisms without the need for sensors or software. Inspired by worms and snakes, these soft chain-like structures, 3D printed at a microscopic scale, swim and adapt to their environment using only an electric field.
The physics of movement: joints thinner than a hair 🧬
Each element of the robot measures 5 micrometers and is connected by joints of 0.5 micrometers, much thinner than a human hair. When an electric field is applied, these robots swim without external control. Their shape dictates the movement, and this movement modifies the structure, creating a feedback loop. Thus, they navigate obstacles, veer off when crossing paths with others, and push objects—behaviors that previously required computation.
No software, but more style than your GPS 🤖
While your navigator gets lost in a tunnel, these microrobots navigate obstacles without processors or batteries. They are like those friends who always find the way out of the nightclub without looking at their phone. The difference is that they measure 5 microns, and you probably need a map to find the bathroom. Medical applications hold promise: they could navigate biological fluids to administer drugs or perform surgeries.