Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots

Light-actuated microbots have been studied as a viable tool for interacting with micro/nano environments. Considering their applicability to a wide range of biomedical applications, novel designs, fabrication techniques, and control methodologies are being developed. Especially, micro/nanoscale thre...

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Main Authors: Menaka Konara, Mishal Pokharel, Md Mainuddin Sagar, Yeongjin Kim, Kihan Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Actuators
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/5/229
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author Menaka Konara
Mishal Pokharel
Md Mainuddin Sagar
Yeongjin Kim
Kihan Park
author_facet Menaka Konara
Mishal Pokharel
Md Mainuddin Sagar
Yeongjin Kim
Kihan Park
author_sort Menaka Konara
collection DOAJ
description Light-actuated microbots have been studied as a viable tool for interacting with micro/nano environments. Considering their applicability to a wide range of biomedical applications, novel designs, fabrication techniques, and control methodologies are being developed. Especially, micro/nanoscale three-dimensional fabrication techniques have opened many possibilities for developing microbots with complex geometries using resins as materials. Here, we developed microbots that can be actuated with tightly focused laser beams to be used in targeted drug delivery, cell poking, and cell characterization studies. These microbots were fabricated in batches using two-photon polymerization (TPP). Each microbot utilizes a deposited metal layer inside its body to manipulate convective microfluidic flows. Additionally, micro-sized end effectors allow them to make measurable physical contact with biological objects. Their expected performance was evaluated using numerical simulations with the use of multiphysics software. Furthermore, laser-induced loading and unloading of micro-sized cargo show their capability for in vitro applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-3331763fe80e4bb7a718ddad1925f57e
institution Kabale University
issn 2076-0825
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Actuators
spelling doaj-art-3331763fe80e4bb7a718ddad1925f57e2025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252025-05-0114522910.3390/act14050229Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical MicrobotsMenaka Konara0Mishal Pokharel1Md Mainuddin Sagar2Yeongjin Kim3Kihan Park4Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USALight-actuated microbots have been studied as a viable tool for interacting with micro/nano environments. Considering their applicability to a wide range of biomedical applications, novel designs, fabrication techniques, and control methodologies are being developed. Especially, micro/nanoscale three-dimensional fabrication techniques have opened many possibilities for developing microbots with complex geometries using resins as materials. Here, we developed microbots that can be actuated with tightly focused laser beams to be used in targeted drug delivery, cell poking, and cell characterization studies. These microbots were fabricated in batches using two-photon polymerization (TPP). Each microbot utilizes a deposited metal layer inside its body to manipulate convective microfluidic flows. Additionally, micro-sized end effectors allow them to make measurable physical contact with biological objects. Their expected performance was evaluated using numerical simulations with the use of multiphysics software. Furthermore, laser-induced loading and unloading of micro-sized cargo show their capability for in vitro applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/5/229robotmicroroboticsoptical manipulationthermal convectiontwo-photon polymerizationconvection simulation
spellingShingle Menaka Konara
Mishal Pokharel
Md Mainuddin Sagar
Yeongjin Kim
Kihan Park
Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots
Actuators
robot
microrobotics
optical manipulation
thermal convection
two-photon polymerization
convection simulation
title Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots
title_full Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots
title_fullStr Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots
title_full_unstemmed Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots
title_short Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Validation of Optical Microbots
title_sort design fabrication and experimental validation of optical microbots
topic robot
microrobotics
optical manipulation
thermal convection
two-photon polymerization
convection simulation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/5/229
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AT mishalpokharel designfabricationandexperimentalvalidationofopticalmicrobots
AT mdmainuddinsagar designfabricationandexperimentalvalidationofopticalmicrobots
AT yeongjinkim designfabricationandexperimentalvalidationofopticalmicrobots
AT kihanpark designfabricationandexperimentalvalidationofopticalmicrobots