Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms
Microrobots with different structures can exhibit multiple propulsion mechanisms under external magnetic fields. Swarms dynamically assembled by microrobots inherit the advantages of single microrobots, such as degradability and small dimensions, while also offering benefits like scalability and hig...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/2/181 |
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| author | Lanlan Jia Guangfei Su Mengyu Zhang Qi Wen Lihong Wang Junyang Li |
| author_facet | Lanlan Jia Guangfei Su Mengyu Zhang Qi Wen Lihong Wang Junyang Li |
| author_sort | Lanlan Jia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microrobots with different structures can exhibit multiple propulsion mechanisms under external magnetic fields. Swarms dynamically assembled by microrobots inherit the advantages of single microrobots, such as degradability and small dimensions, while also offering benefits like scalability and high flexibility. With control of magnetic fields, these swarms demonstrate diverse propulsion mechanisms and can perform precise actions in complex environments. Therefore, the relationship between single microrobots and their swarms is a significant area of study. This paper reviews the relationship between single microrobots and swarms by examining the structural design, control methods, propulsion mechanisms, and practical applications. At first, we introduce the structural design of microrobots, including materials and manufacturing methods. Then, we describe magnetic field generation systems, including gradient, rotating, and oscillating magnetic fields, and their characteristics. Next, we analyze the propulsion mechanisms of individual microrobots and the way microrobots dynamically assemble into a swarm under an external magnetic field, which illustrates the relationship between single microrobots and swarms. Finally, we discuss the application of different swarm propulsion mechanisms in water purification and targeted delivery, summarize current challenges and future work, and explore future directions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3219470a2c5e4356a52fb7880bd9a2d7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj-art-3219470a2c5e4356a52fb7880bd9a2d72025-08-20T02:44:35ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-01-0116218110.3390/mi16020181Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to SwarmsLanlan Jia0Guangfei Su1Mengyu Zhang2Qi Wen3Lihong Wang4Junyang Li5School of Electronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, ChinaSchool of Electronic Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, ChinaMicrorobots with different structures can exhibit multiple propulsion mechanisms under external magnetic fields. Swarms dynamically assembled by microrobots inherit the advantages of single microrobots, such as degradability and small dimensions, while also offering benefits like scalability and high flexibility. With control of magnetic fields, these swarms demonstrate diverse propulsion mechanisms and can perform precise actions in complex environments. Therefore, the relationship between single microrobots and their swarms is a significant area of study. This paper reviews the relationship between single microrobots and swarms by examining the structural design, control methods, propulsion mechanisms, and practical applications. At first, we introduce the structural design of microrobots, including materials and manufacturing methods. Then, we describe magnetic field generation systems, including gradient, rotating, and oscillating magnetic fields, and their characteristics. Next, we analyze the propulsion mechanisms of individual microrobots and the way microrobots dynamically assemble into a swarm under an external magnetic field, which illustrates the relationship between single microrobots and swarms. Finally, we discuss the application of different swarm propulsion mechanisms in water purification and targeted delivery, summarize current challenges and future work, and explore future directions.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/2/181microrobotswarmmagnetpropulsion mechanismapplication |
| spellingShingle | Lanlan Jia Guangfei Su Mengyu Zhang Qi Wen Lihong Wang Junyang Li Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms Micromachines microrobot swarm magnet propulsion mechanism application |
| title | Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms |
| title_full | Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms |
| title_fullStr | Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms |
| title_short | Propulsion Mechanisms in Magnetic Microrobotics: From Single Microrobots to Swarms |
| title_sort | propulsion mechanisms in magnetic microrobotics from single microrobots to swarms |
| topic | microrobot swarm magnet propulsion mechanism application |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/2/181 |
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