Femtosecond laser writing of ant-inspired reconfigurable microbot collectives

Zhongguo Ren, Chen Xin (), Kaiwen Liang, Heming Wang, Dawei Wang, Liqun Xu, Yanlei Hu, Jiawen Li, Jiaru Chu and Dong Wu ()
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Zhongguo Ren: University of Science and Technology of China
Chen Xin: University of Science and Technology of China
Kaiwen Liang: University of Science and Technology of China
Heming Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Dawei Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Liqun Xu: University of Science and Technology of China
Yanlei Hu: University of Science and Technology of China
Jiawen Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Jiaru Chu: University of Science and Technology of China
Dong Wu: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Microbot collectives can cooperate to accomplish complex tasks that are difficult for a single individual. However, various force-induced microbot collectives maintained by weak magnetic, light, and electric fields still face challenges such as unstable connections, the need for a continuous external stimuli source, and imprecise individual control. Here, we construct magnetic and light-driven ant microbot collectives capable of reconfiguring multiple assembled architectures with robustness. This methodology utilizes a flexible two-photon polymerization strategy to fabricate microbots consisting of magnetic photoresist, hydrogel, and metal nanoparticles. Under the cooperation of magnetic and light fields, the microbots can reversibly and selectively assemble (e.g., 90° assembly and 180° assembly) into various morphologies. Moreover, we demonstrate the ability of assembled microbots to cross a one-body-length gap and their adaptive capability to move through a constriction and transport microcargo. Our strategy will broaden the abilities of clustered microbots, including gap traversal, micro-object manipulation, and drug delivery.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51567-4

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