Microrobots that swim in magnetic fields
JUN 03, 2014
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.027979
BBC : Researchers have designed a nanoscale mechanical propulsion system that consists of a tiny sperm-like structure with a magnetic head and a flexible polymer tail. The so-called MagnetoSperm can be made to wiggle or “swim” by applying an oscillating magnetic field. Although the tiny robots move much slower than human sperm cells, they can be directed toward specific targets. Hence they could be useful in certain applications, such as drug delivery systems or in vitro fertilization. To that end, the researchers are working to make the device smaller and faster and to test it in more complicated environments.
© 2014 American Institute of Physics
