Multi-functionalized micro-helical capsule robots with superior loading and releasing capabilities

Abstract

A multi-functionalized helical capsule microrobot was fabricated that exhibited enhanced path-planning locomotion, superior cargo encapsulation, and controllable release in response to stimuli.

A Phase Inversion‐Based Microfluidic Fabrication of Helical Microfibers towards Versatile Artificial Abdominal Skin

“…Tr aditional chemical reactions-based MST is enslaved to the limited selection of materials,w here only af ew of chemically curable materials,s uch as alginate, [6] chitosan, [38] poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate [7] and dextran [39] can be used. These materials suffer from the poor elastic potential energy and mechanical strength, which makes it difficult to store powerful levels of deformation energy and maintain the helical structure and spring-like mechanics in weaving process,l imiting their practical applications.T aking advantage of this PIMS technology,w ee xtensively broaden the selection range of materials for helical microfibers,especially for those high-performance polymers,such as PCL, PES,PSF and PVB (Table S1), laying the foundation for advanced helical microfibers fabricating.…”

“…[8] Artificial meshes interwoven by helical microfibers exhibit ahierarchical and highly ordered structure,a long with superior mechanical strength, structural stability,f lexibility and bi-oriented stretchability, [36,37] which is highly expectable in artificial abdominal wall for protecting internal tissues and organs from damage. However,uptodate,only afew polymer candidates could be produced to be helical microfibers,s uch as alginate, [6] chitosan, [38] poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate [7] and dextran, [39] extremely restricting the development of helical microfibers. Also,t he reported helical microfibers suffer from the poor universality.T oget around this conundrum, it is highly urgent to explore auniversal method towards constructing advanced helical microfibers.…”

Microfluidics: Innovations in Materials and Their Fabrication and Functionalization

“…Another team reported a thermally actuated microvalve that used a phasechange material, paraffin wax. 138 The valve was actuated by melting of the paraffin, and it was tested under various pressure and flow control conditions. Application beyond model dyed fluid streams will be essential for this method to see broader usage.…”

External Field‐Driven Untethered Microrobots for Targeted Cargo Delivery

“…Therefore, functionalized SPION is a much better choice by using the hydrophilic amino (NH 2 ) group to modify the nanoparticles, which not only increases the water dispersibility but also improves the interaction between SPIONs and scaffold materials. [ 23 ] For example, amino‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles can be covalently linked to polydopamine (PDA) coated UMRs via Schiff‐base linkage. [ 24 ] Also, SPIONs can be modified by acidic groups such as the carboxyl group, [ 22a ] and the choice of alkaline or acidic groups depends on certain designs and applications.…”