Intelligent MIcrorobot POweRed by Ultrasound

Microrobots with the ability of sensing physiologically important signals and respond by autonomously accumulating at target sites may revolutionize minimally invasive medicine.

Miniaturizing electronic sensors, actuators and batteries to microscale is not feasible with the state-of-the-art technology.

A promising alternative for instantiating on-board sensing and computation for remotely powered micromachines is exploiting structure and material properties.

Recent studies show that micromachines can transform acoustic waves into controllable motion and powering can be realized using off-the-shelf medical ultrasound transducers.

The objective of IMIPORU project is to develop the first truly autonomous microrobots powered by acoustic streaming (acoustically generated steady flow) that can perform taxis behaviour.

To achieve this task, I will systematically study fluid-structure interaction (FSI) at the microscale numerically, experimentally and analytically. This analysis will lead to the design of novel mechanisms that respond to varying hydrodynamic loads.

By manifesting mechanical instabilities, robots will mimic flagellated bacteria that exploits the buckling of the hook to change direction. Furthermore, understanding FSI is instrumental for optimizing the acoustic propulsion machinery.

State-of-the-art, high-resolution two-photon polymerization technique for photocurable polymers will be used to manufacture multi-material structures with complex geometries.

Since acoustic actuation does not depend on material choice, integrating responsive soft hydrogels into the structure will add another dimension for interacting with the environmental via chemical and temperature signals.

Incorporating intelligent mechanical design along with responsive materials will enable microrobots to change their form and kinematics in different viscosity, temperature or chemical conditions, paving the way to autonomous navigation including viscotaxis, chemotaxis, and thermotaxis