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In March of this year, some media outlets highlighted the progress made by British scientists in creating micro-robots using 3D printing technology. They successfully printed 3D robots known as microswimmers, which have potential applications inside the human body. These tiny machines can move through bodily fluids and even carry small "cargo." Interestingly, researchers at the University of California recently developed a 3D-printed smart micro-robot called the microfish. According to the team, these "miniature fish" can be injected into the bloodstream to perform specific medical tasks, such as sensing, detoxifying, and delivering drugs precisely.
The research was led by Professor Chen Shaozhen and Professor Joseph Wang from the Department of Nanoengineering at the University of California, San Diego. The findings were published in *Advanced Materials* on August 12.
These fascinating micro-fish represent a major breakthrough in biomedicine. Essentially, they are complex, slightly fish-shaped robots capable of swimming efficiently in liquids. They are primarily powered by hydrogen peroxide and can also be controlled magnetically.
To showcase their abilities, the researchers conducted several experiments. They introduced toxin-containing nanoparticles into the microfish and mixed them with polydiacetylene (PDA) nanoparticles, which capture harmful pore-forming agents. During the test, the microfish effectively cleaned up toxins, and the process was visible because PDA nanoparticles emit red fluorescence when bound to toxin molecules.
This is just one of many potential uses for these 3D-printed microfish. “This experiment clearly shows that microfish can serve as a more effective system for detoxification and toxin detection,†the researchers stated. “Another exciting application is to package drugs within the microfish and release them in a targeted manner.â€
Although many scientists have created various types of micro-robots, the microfish stand out due to their advanced design. Most existing micro-robots rely on jet engines or simple structures like spheres or cylinders, limiting their ability to perform complex tasks. In contrast, the microfish developed by the team are much more versatile. Functional nanoparticles can be embedded in specific parts of the robot, while platinum nanoparticles on the tail help propel it forward using hydrogen peroxide. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on the head allow for directional control via magnetic fields.
“We were inspired by nature to develop a completely new way to design micro-swimmers that are thinner than a human hair but have complex geometry,†said Wei Zhu, co-first author of the study. “This method allows us to easily integrate multiple functions into the micro-robot, opening up a wide range of applications.â€
So how exactly are these microfish 3D printed? The process relies on a technique called micro continuous light projection (μCOP), developed by Professor Chen Shaozhen’s team. This method is fast, scalable, precise, and flexible, enabling the production of hundreds of microfish in just seconds. Each is about 120 microns long and 30 microns thick. Using computer design, the team can create micro-robots in the shape of various aquatic creatures, such as sharks or manta rays.
“This 3D printing technology allows us not only to define the shape of the fish but also to quickly build micro-robots based on other creatures, like birds,†the researchers explained.
The technology is based on a digital micromirror array device (DMD) chip containing two million micromirrors. Each mirror is individually controlled by an algorithm to project UV light according to the desired fish shape. The material is then cured layer by layer, similar to SLA 3D printing. “This approach makes it easier for us to test different micro-robot designs and incorporate nanoparticles with various functional elements,†the team added. “With this, we aim to further develop safer and more precise surgical micro-robots in the future.â€