Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots
The development of functional microsystems and microrobots that have characterized the last decade is the result of a synergistic and effective interaction between the progress of fabrication techniques and the increased availability of smart and responsive materials to be employed in the latter. Fu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/2/275 |
| _version_ | 1797297500021850112 |
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| author | Frank Marco den Hoed Marco Carlotti Stefano Palagi Patrizio Raffa Virgilio Mattoli |
| author_facet | Frank Marco den Hoed Marco Carlotti Stefano Palagi Patrizio Raffa Virgilio Mattoli |
| author_sort | Frank Marco den Hoed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The development of functional microsystems and microrobots that have characterized the last decade is the result of a synergistic and effective interaction between the progress of fabrication techniques and the increased availability of smart and responsive materials to be employed in the latter. Functional structures on the microscale have been relevant for a vast plethora of technologies that find application in different sectors including automotive, sensing devices, and consumer electronics, but are now also entering medical clinics. Working on or inside the human body requires increasing complexity and functionality on an ever-smaller scale, which is becoming possible as a result of emerging technology and smart materials over the past decades. In recent years, additive manufacturing has risen to the forefront of this evolution as the most prominent method to fabricate complex 3D structures. In this review, we discuss the rapid 3D manufacturing techniques that have emerged and how they have enabled a great leap in microrobotic applications. The arrival of smart materials with inherent functionalities has propelled microrobots to great complexity and complex applications. We focus on which materials are important for actuation and what the possibilities are for supplying the required energy. Furthermore, we provide an updated view of a new generation of microrobots in terms of both materials and fabrication technology. While two-photon lithography may be the state-of-the-art technology at the moment, in terms of resolution and design freedom, new methods such as two-step are on the horizon. In the more distant future, innovations like molecular motors could make microscale robots redundant and bring about nanofabrication. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:21:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be68db8d0c624eed93a3635089521049 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:21:13Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-be68db8d0c624eed93a36350895210492024-02-23T15:27:52ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2024-02-0115227510.3390/mi15020275Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale RobotsFrank Marco den Hoed0Marco Carlotti1Stefano Palagi2Patrizio Raffa3Virgilio Mattoli4Center for Materials Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via R. Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, ItalyCenter for Materials Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via R. Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, ItalyBioRobotics Institute, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, P.zza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56127 Pisa, ItalySmart and Sustainable Polymeric Products, Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The NetherlandsCenter for Materials Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via R. Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, ItalyThe development of functional microsystems and microrobots that have characterized the last decade is the result of a synergistic and effective interaction between the progress of fabrication techniques and the increased availability of smart and responsive materials to be employed in the latter. Functional structures on the microscale have been relevant for a vast plethora of technologies that find application in different sectors including automotive, sensing devices, and consumer electronics, but are now also entering medical clinics. Working on or inside the human body requires increasing complexity and functionality on an ever-smaller scale, which is becoming possible as a result of emerging technology and smart materials over the past decades. In recent years, additive manufacturing has risen to the forefront of this evolution as the most prominent method to fabricate complex 3D structures. In this review, we discuss the rapid 3D manufacturing techniques that have emerged and how they have enabled a great leap in microrobotic applications. The arrival of smart materials with inherent functionalities has propelled microrobots to great complexity and complex applications. We focus on which materials are important for actuation and what the possibilities are for supplying the required energy. Furthermore, we provide an updated view of a new generation of microrobots in terms of both materials and fabrication technology. While two-photon lithography may be the state-of-the-art technology at the moment, in terms of resolution and design freedom, new methods such as two-step are on the horizon. In the more distant future, innovations like molecular motors could make microscale robots redundant and bring about nanofabrication.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/2/275microroboticsdirect laser writingmicrofabricationmicroactuatorsfunctional materialsuntethered microdevices |
| spellingShingle | Frank Marco den Hoed Marco Carlotti Stefano Palagi Patrizio Raffa Virgilio Mattoli Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots Micromachines microrobotics direct laser writing microfabrication microactuators functional materials untethered microdevices |
| title | Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots |
| title_full | Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots |
| title_short | Evolution of the Microrobots: Stimuli-Responsive Materials and Additive Manufacturing Technologies Turn Small Structures into Microscale Robots |
| title_sort | evolution of the microrobots stimuli responsive materials and additive manufacturing technologies turn small structures into microscale robots |
| topic | microrobotics direct laser writing microfabrication microactuators functional materials untethered microdevices |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/2/275 |
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