Magnetically controlled flexible micro-robots based on magnetic particle arrangement

Abstract

Magnetically controlled flexible micro-robots can assume desired shapes and motions driven by external magnetic fields, which makes them promising for applications in healthcare and robotics. However, current magnetically controlled flexible micro-robot design methods suffer from size constraints and high manufacturing costs. Here, we report on a composite material based on programmed magnetic powder arrangements that can produce fast, reversible, and programmable shape transformations under magnetic fields. In addition, we investigate this composite's magnetically controlled deformation mechanism through experiments and numerical simulations. With these excellent properties, the composite can be used to design magnetically controlled flexible micro-robots with swimming, transport, and clamping functions.