Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(6)
Published: Feb. 7, 2025
Variable
stiffness
(VS)
has
revolutionized
miniature
surgical
instruments,
including
cardiovascular
catheters
for
minimally
invasive
surgeries
(MISs),
enabling
advanced
capabilities
in
modulation
and
multi-curvature
bending.
However,
existing
VS
with
phase-changing
materials
are
slow
softening
stiffening
rates
(≈90
s),
which
can
lead
to
substantial
increase
surgery
duration.
To
address
the
change,
we
propose
a
catheter
based
on
fiber
jamming
(FJ)
that
achieves
instant
changes
(≤300
ms),
seamless
operations
without
delays.
Moreover,
our
catheter,
incorporating
hundreds
of
ultrathin
fibers
into
slender
2.3-mm
body,
up
6.5-fold
changes.
With
adequate
two-segment
complex
bending
profiles
within
seconds.
In
addition,
FJ-based
design
does
not
require
electric
currents
or
heating
inside
human
minimizing
patient
risks.
This
instantaneous
response,
enhanced
safety,
potentially
establish
benchmarks
MIS,
allowing
medical
practitioners
effectively
formidable
diseases.
European Polymer Journal,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
205, P. 112718 - 112718
Published: Jan. 2, 2024
In
the
contemporary
era,
novel
manufacturing
technologies
like
additive
(AM)
have
revolutionized
different
engineering
sectors
including
biomedical,
aerospace,
electronics,
etc.
Four-dimensional
(4D)
printing
aka
AM
of
smart
materials
is
gaining
popularity
among
scientific
community,
which
has
excellent
ability
to
make
soft
structures
such
as
robots,
actuators,
and
grippers.
These
are
developed
by
applying
various
stimuli
pH,
temperature,
magnetic
field,
many
combinations
onto
materials.
Stimuli
in
3D
permit
shape-morphing
behaviors
bending,
twisting,
folding,
swelling,
rolling,
shrinking,
origami,
or
locomotion.
A
wide
variety
can
be
fabricated
through
incorporation
hard
particles
into
resulting
magneto-active
(MASMs).
With
this
integration,
magneto-thermal
coupling
actuation
allows
diverse
magneto-deformations,
facilitating
development
personalized
devices
that
capable
enhanced
deformation.
review,
guidelines
provided
on
for
MASMs
polymers
(MAPs),
composites,
hydrogels
(MAHs)
booming
flexible
wearable
biomimetic
devices.
Moreover,
3D-printed
robotics
an
outstanding
capacity
adapt
complicated
situations
advanced
actuating
applications.
Finally,
some
current
challenges
emerging
areas
exciting
technology
been
proposed.
Lastly,
it
anticipated
technological
advancements
developing
intelligent
will
a
significant
impact
design
real-world
Science Advances,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
10(3)
Published: Jan. 19, 2024
Precise
manipulation
of
flexible
surgical
tools
is
crucial
in
minimally
invasive
procedures,
necessitating
a
miniature
and
robotic
probe
that
can
precisely
direct
the
instruments.
In
this
work,
we
developed
polymer-based
fiber
with
thermal
actuation
mechanism
by
local
heating
along
sides
single
fiber.
The
robot
was
fabricated
highly
scalable
drawing
technology
using
common
low-cost
materials.
This
low-profile
(below
2
millimeters
diameter)
exhibits
remarkable
motion
precision
50
micrometers)
repeatability.
We
control
algorithms
coupling
endoscopic
instruments,
demonstrating
high-resolution
situ
molecular
morphological
tissue
mapping.
assess
its
practicality
safety
during
vivo
laparoscopic
surgery
on
porcine
model.
High-precision
delivered
endoscopically
facilitates
effective
use
cellular-level
intraoperative
identification
ablation
technologies,
potentially
enabling
precise
removal
cancer
challenging
sites.
The European Physical Journal E,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
48(2)
Published: Feb. 1, 2025
In
the
past
years,
amount
of
research
on
active
matter
has
grown
extremely
rapidly,
a
fact
that
is
reflected
in
particular
by
existence
more
than
1000
reviews
this
topic.
Moreover,
field
become
very
diverse,
ranging
from
theoretical
studies
statistical
mechanics
particles
to
applied
work
medical
applications
microrobots
and
biological
systems
artificial
swimmers.
This
makes
it
difficult
get
an
overview
over
as
whole.
Here,
we
provide
such
form
metareview
article
surveys
existing
review
articles
books
matter.
Thereby,
provides
useful
starting
point
for
finding
literature
about
specific
International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
10(6), P. 1661 - 1710
Published: July 13, 2023
Abstract
Soft
actuators
have
brought
significant
advancements
to
robotics,
allowing
robots
perform
a
diverse
range
of
tasks
across
various
domains.
However,
the
increased
use
soft
has
resulted
in
negative
environmental
impacts,
including
material
consumption,
waste
generation,
and
energy
consumption.
To
address
these
challenges,
research
is
increasingly
focused
on
developing
sustainable
(SSAs)
that
can
provide
high
performance
while
minimizing
harm.
This
review
article
aims
explore
development
manufacturing
SSAs
their
potential
reduce
consumption
promoting
sustainability.
The
examines
categories
actuators,
such
as
multi-responsive
ones,
shape-locking
variants,
biological
water-responsive
models,
well
implementation
through
multi-material
printing
and,
3D
4D
techniques.
also
highlights
applications
SSAs,
manufacturing,
human–machine
interaction,
locomotion,
manipulation.
Furthermore,
explores
methods
for
reducing
using
recycled
materials
eco-friendly
processes
circular
economy.
Finally,
study
provides
comprehensive
analysis
steer
evolution
robotics
towards
more
future
Cyborg and Bionic Systems,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
5
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
In
the
realm
of
precise
medicine,
advancement
manufacturing
technologies
is
vital
for
enhancing
capabilities
medical
devices
such
as
nano/microrobots,
wearable/implantable
biosensors,
and
organ-on-chip
systems,
which
serve
to
accurately
acquire
analyze
patients’
physiopathological
information
perform
patient-specific
therapy.
Electrospinning
holds
great
promise
in
engineering
materials
components
advanced
devices,
due
demonstrated
ability
advance
development
nanomaterial
science.
Nevertheless,
challenges
limited
composition
variety,
uncontrollable
fiber
orientation,
difficulties
incorporating
fragile
molecules
cells,
low
production
effectiveness
hindered
its
further
application.
To
overcome
these
challenges,
electrospinning
techniques
have
been
explored
manufacture
functional
composites,
orchestrated
structures,
living
constructs,
scale-up
fabrication.
This
review
delves
into
recent
advances
underscores
their
potential
revolutionizing
field
upon
introducing
fundamental
conventional
techniques,
well
discussing
current
future
perspectives.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15(1)
Published: June 18, 2024
Abstract
Untethered
miniature
soft
robots
have
significant
application
potentials
in
biomedical
and
industrial
fields
due
to
their
space
accessibility
safe
human
interaction.
However,
the
lack
of
selective
forceful
actuation
is
still
challenging
revolutionizing
unleashing
versatility.
Here,
we
propose
a
focused
ultrasound-controlled
phase
transition
strategy
for
achieving
millimeter-level
spatially
Newton-level
force
robots,
which
harnesses
ultrasound-induced
heating
trigger
inside
robot,
enabling
powerful
through
inflation.
The
spatial
resolution
empowers
single
robot
perform
multiple
tasks
according
specific
requirements.
As
concept-of-demonstration,
designed
liquid
cargo
delivery
biopsy
tissue
acquisition
patching.
Additionally,
an
autonomous
control
system
integrated
with
ultrasound
imaging
enable
automatic
acoustic
field
alignment
control.
proposed
method
advances
spatiotemporal
response
capability
untethered
holding
promise
broadening
versatility
adaptability.
Nano-/microrobots
have
been
demonstrated
as
an
efficient
solution
for
environmental
remediation.
Their
strength
lies
in
their
propulsion
abilities
that
allow
active
“on-the-fly”
operation,
such
pollutant
detection,
capture,
transport,
degradation,
and
disruption.
Another
advantage
is
versatility,
which
allows
the
engineering
of
highly
functional
solutions
a
specific
application.
However,
latter
can
bring
complexity
to
applications;
versatility
dimensionality,
morphology,
materials,
surface
decorations,
other
modifications
has
crucial
effect
on
resulting
abilities,
compatibility
with
environment,
overall
functionality.
Synergy
between
decorations
its
projection
functionality
object
nanoarchitectonics.
Here,
we
scrutinize
nano-/microrobots
eyes
nanoarchitectonics:
list
general
concepts
help
assess
synergy
limitations
individual
procedures
fabrication
processes
operation
at
macroscale.
The
nanoarchitectonics
approached
from
microscopic
level,
focusing
dimensionality
through
nanoscopic
evaluating
influence
decoration
nanoparticles
quantum
dots,
moving
molecular
single-atomic
level
very
fine
tuning
presented
review
aims
lay
provide
overview
advanced
nano-/microrobot
remediation
beyond.
Accounts of Materials Research,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
5(2), P. 173 - 183
Published: Jan. 22, 2024
ConspectusMiniature
machines
that
are
highly
controllable
have
received
widespread
attention
due
to
their
potential
applications
in
smart
medicine
and
micromanipulation,
especially
those
developed
based
on
soft
matter.
The
inherent
compliance
of
matter
can
enhance
the
adaptability
miniature
a
complex
working
environment
or
objects
being
manipulated.
Furthermore,
with
rapid
development
materials
science
control
technology,
emergence
various
responsive
matters
has
promoted
remote
even
autonomous
actuation
capabilities
as
well
reconfigurable
properties.
Despite
burgeoning
efforts
devoted
programming
precise
machines,
exploration
is
still
its
infancy.
Due
nonlinearity
response
active
matter,
comprehensive
understanding
modeling
deformation
needed.
Besides,
systematic
study
on-demand
material
components
physical
properties
at
submillimeter,
micro-,
nanoscale
levels
also
important.
Hence,
more
in-depth
research
composition,
mechanisms,
methods
needed
promote
construction
novel
practical
future.Based
regulation
fields
chemical
substances,
demonstrate
shape-morphing
without
restraint.
Among
stimulation
methods,
magnetic
strategy
possesses
outstanding
advantages
terms
safety,
controllability,
penetration
depth,
which
endow
huge
fundamental
engineering
applications.
Programmable
provides
powerful
platform
explore
patterns
locomotion
behaviors
nature.
Under
action
nonuniform
torques
generated
by
programmable
stimulation,
could
undergo
series
morphological
transformations.
promising
solution
for
developing
optimized
speed
energy
density.
Therefore,
through
exquisite
assembly
structural
design,
composed
compatible
many
application
scenarios,
biomedical
engineering.In
this
Account,
we
provide
overview
recent
significant
advancements
achieved
our
group
others
First,
elucidate
interaction
mechanism
between
diverse
agents
available
matrices
including
polymer
matrices,
liquid
non-Newtonian
fluids.
We
then
illustrate
encoding
heterogeneous
magnetization
profile
particle
orientation,
3D
transformations
under
(e.g.,
origami
kirigami
deformation,
surface
Gaussian
curvature).
Next,
discussed,
focusing
devices,
flexible
electronics.
Finally,
an
outlook
prospects
opportunities
future
Advanced Materials,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
36(24)
Published: March 11, 2024
Abstract
Multimodal
and
controllable
locomotion
in
complex
terrain
is
of
great
importance
for
practical
applications
insect‐scale
robots.
Robust
plays
a
particularly
critical
role.
In
this
study,
mechanism
magnetic
robots
based
on
asymmetrical
friction
effect
induced
by
torque
revealed
defined.
The
defined
overcomes
the
design
constraints
imposed
both
robot
substrate
structures,
enabling
realization
multimodal
terrains.
Drawing
inspiration
from
human
walking
running
locomotion,
biped
proposed,
which
not
only
exhibits
rapid
across
substrates
with
varying
coefficients
but
also
achieves
precise
along
patterned
trajectories
through
programmed
controlling.
Furthermore,
apart
its
exceptional
locomotive
capabilities,
demonstrates
remarkable
robustness
terms
load‐carrying
weight‐bearing
performance.
presented
herein
introduce
novel
concept
designing
while
offering
extensive
possibilities
robotics.