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In March of this year, several media outlets highlighted the advancements made by British scientists in creating micro-robots using 3D printing technology. They successfully printed 3D robots known as microswimmers, which have potential applications within the human body, such as moving through bodily fluids and carrying "cargo." Interestingly, researchers at the University of California recently developed a smart micro-robot called "microfish" using similar 3D printing techniques. This tiny robot can be injected into the bloodstream to perform specialized medical tasks, including sensing, detoxification, and targeted drug delivery.
The project was led by Professor Chen Shaozhen and Professor Joseph Wang from the Department of Nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego. Their findings were published in the journal *Advanced Materials* on August 12.
These fascinating microfish represent a breakthrough in biomedicine. Essentially, they are complex, fish-shaped robots capable of swimming efficiently in liquid environments. Powered by hydrogen peroxide chemistry, they can also be controlled magnetically, giving them greater flexibility in movement.
To demonstrate their capabilities, the researchers conducted experiments where they loaded the microfish with toxin-carrying nanoparticles and mixed them with polydiacetylene (PDA) particles that capture harmful pore-forming toxins. During testing, the microfish rapidly and effectively removed the toxins, with the process visible due to the red fluorescence emitted by PDA when it binds to toxins.
This experiment showcased the microfish's potential as an efficient detoxification system and toxin sensor. Another promising application involves encapsulating drugs within the microfish for targeted release.
While many scientists have developed various micro-robots, these microfish stand out due to their advanced design. Unlike traditional micro-robots, which often rely on simple structures like spheres or cylinders, the microfish have a more complex, fish-like shape. They incorporate functional nanoparticles in specific areas, such as platinum in their tails for propulsion and magnetic iron oxide in their heads for directional control.
"We drew inspiration from nature to create a completely new way to design micro swimmers," said Wei Zhu, one of the co-first authors. "These robots are thinner than a human hair but have a complex geometry, allowing us to integrate multiple functions for broader applications."
The microfish are created using a 3D printing technique called micro continuous light projection (μCOP), developed by Professor Chen’s team. This method is fast, scalable, precise, and flexible, enabling the production of hundreds of microfish in just seconds. Each is about 120 microns long and 30 microns thick. The technology allows researchers to design micro-robots in the shape of various aquatic creatures, such as sharks and manta rays.
"The μCOP technology not only allows us to control the shape of the fish but also enables quick fabrication of micro-robots inspired by other animals," the researchers noted.
This 3D printing approach relies on a digital micromirror device (DMD) chip containing two million micromirrors. Each mirror is individually controlled by an algorithm to project UV light according to the desired fish shape. The materials are then cured layer by layer, similar to SLA 3D printing. This method makes it easier to test different micro-robot designs and incorporate functional nanoparticles for enhanced performance.
"With this technology, we aim to develop safer and more precise surgical micro-robots in the future," the researchers concluded.