Engineers from Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in have designed elastomers that have cilia to make it swim just like jellyfish, flagella. They are enabled to move by using a computer-based algorithm, to a customized magnetic field for specific movements. These enable small machines to go inside the body and perform specific tasks it will be programmed to do. Other uses for shape programmed robots is for microengineering.
These shaped elastomer micro machines are inspired by sperm, which moves in a similar way. Engineering a silicone strip so minute and it can swim inside the body as well. Embedding magnetizable neodymium-iron-boron particles is the actuator for the magnetic field to influence movement. Inside the magnetic field, the researchers can control the shape and choose specific movements easily.
Replication the function of the cilium in living organisms with a rowing mechanism based on nature. Cilia are hair-like structures that will be used to manoeuvre the robots remotely, under precise conditions. Before this, they engineered a robotic jellyfish with two soft tentacles, that can swim with them. Robots like these will be more sophisticated one the technology improves, and it is based on soft materials, not computer chips or hardware.
Controlled movement is a crucial thing to consider when designing movement efficiently. Choosing the specific parts of the cilia, to be attracted or repelled when the customized magnetic field is activated. Without the designated areas of attraction or repulsion on the elastomer bot, it will just roll up into itself, or not be able to move.
There are two main concepts used to visualize how the elastomer moved with magnetic influence. One is how concentrated the magnetic particles are applied on any part of the elastomer. Another is how the particles are placed on any specific part of the cilia. Part of the process in making the programmable elastomer, magnetizing the part of then rubber to spread out the magnetism in varying strengths.
It is not easy to customize magnetic properties in one flat strip of rubber elastomer, that moves in different ways in a magnetic field. It was achieved by temporary deformation when exposed to the magnetic field. This locked in the final shape the elastomer would be in when exposed to the magnetic field. The pre-exposed parts of the elastomers will create various levels of attraction when exposed at the same time too.
Controlling the number of magnetically attracted particles and setting their exposure to attraction or repulsion allowed it to move in different ways. This means no more customized magnetic fields, just one strip of elastomer with parts that reacted differently. It makes the soft elastomer robot work better and conveniently into the shapes programmed into it.
Developing the right amount of magnetic influence and programming soft elastomers like silicone are for multi-use. The applications for medical purposes to deliver drugs inside the body, where it is needed. The technology is nascent, but the process of using magnetics is very innovative and it a simple actuator without a motor or chips needed. Minute size allows shaped elastomer micro machines to be used in tight spaces, micro-robots made of programmed silicone will be of great use in other relevant industries too.
Read: Researchers Develop Shape-Programmable Miniscule Robots
