Microchemomechanical Systems

Abstract

The development of microchemomechanical systems (MCMS) as an analogy to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is reviewed, with the distinction that the mechanical actuation of microscale structures is effected by chemical cues as opposed to electricity. The intellectual motivation to pursue MCMS, or the creation of integrated chemical-stimuli-responsive devices, is that such structures are widely observed in nature. From a practical standpoint, since chemicals can readily diffuse and produce changes over large distances, this approach is especially attractive in enabling wireless and autonomous devices at small size scales.

Switchable molecule-based materials for micro- and nanoscale actuating applications: Achievements and prospects

“…It is important to note that in this kind of actuation, chemical conformation plays a significant role, responding to various stimuli such as redox potentials, proteins and charge grouping on single polymer chains [30]. Randhawa et al [48] reviewed some of the advances and their implications for the development of different bio-inspired autonomous chemical actuation mechanisms. As the most versatile category of actuation systems, some prototypes and applications are microgrippers, microcages, internal combustion engines, chemical batteries, artificial muscles and drug delivery systems [13,[48][49][50].…”

Evaluation of an electromagnetic system with haptic feedback for control of untethered, soft grippers affected by disturbances

“…Selffolding stimuli-responsive soft robots can regulate their grasping configuration by converting environmental signals into mechanical ones. Because of this, they have been successfully utilized in a vast range of applications, such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and tissue engineering [6], [7].…”

Self-folding polymeric containers for encapsulation and delivery of drugs

“…This approach required the creation of elastomeric sheets patterned with magnetic dipoles; self-folding was driven by the interplay between the elastic bending energy and the magnetic energy. Similarly, Randhawa et al ., have described the concept of microchemomechanical systems (MCMS) which incorporate polymeric triggers on pre-stressed metallic thin films to achieve chemical stimuli-responsive gripping devices [80]. These devices include wireless surgical grippers those that fold (close) and un-fold (open) on exposure to enzymes such as trypsin and cellulase [33, 34].…”