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Del Campo Fonseca A, Ahmed D. Ultrasound robotics for precision therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 205:115164. [PMID: 38145721 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the application of microrobots in precision therapy has gained significant attention. The small size and maneuverability of these micromachines enable them to potentially access regions that are difficult to reach using traditional methods; thus, reducing off-target toxicities and maximizing treatment effectiveness. Specifically, acoustic actuation has emerged as a promising method to exert control. By harnessing the power of acoustic energy, these small machines potentially navigate the body, assemble at the desired sites, and deliver therapies with enhanced precision and effectiveness. Amidst the enthusiasm surrounding these miniature agents, their translation to clinical environments has proven difficult. The primary objectives of this review are threefold: firstly, to offer an overview of the fundamental acoustic principles employed in the field of microrobots; secondly, to assess their current applications in medical therapies, encompassing tissue targeting, drug delivery or even cell infiltration; and lastly, to delve into the continuous efforts aimed at integrating acoustic microrobots into in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Del Campo Fonseca
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel Ahmed
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
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2
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Wang Y, Yu H, Chen Y, Wang X, He J, Ye Z, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Wang B. A swarm of helical photocatalysts with controlled catalytic inhibition and acceleration by magneto-optical stimuli. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 652:1693-1702. [PMID: 37669591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.08.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Highly persistent and toxic organic pollutants increasingly accumulate in freshwater resources, exacerbating the human water scarcity crisis. Developing novel microrobots with high catalytic performance, high mobility, and recycling capability integrated to harness energy from the surrounding environment to degrade pollutants effectively remains a challenge. Here, we report a kind of Spirulina (SP)-based magnetic photocatalytic microrobots with a substantially decreased band gap than that of pure photocatalysts, facilitating the generation of stable holes and electrons. Under sunlight irradiation, the degradation rate of rhodamine B (RhB) by the microrobots could be increased by 7.85 times compared with that of pure BiOCl, indicating its excellent photocatalytic performance. In addition, the microrobots can swarm in a highly controllable manner to the targeted regions and perform selective catalytic degradation of organic pollutants in specific areas by coupling effect of light and magnetic field. Importantly, the catalytic capability of the swarming microrobots can be activated by light stimulus whereas inhibited by magneto-optical stimuli, with a rate constant 2.15 times lower than that of pure light stimulation. The biohybrid and magneto-optical responsive microrobots offer a potential platform for selective pollutants catalysis at assigned regions in wastewater treatment plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haidong Yu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yunrui Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resource, Environments and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jiajun He
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhicheng Ye
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yu Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yabin Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-Ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resource, Environments and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ben Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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3
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Rivas DP, Sokolich M, Das S. Spatial Patterning of Micromotor Aggregation and Flux. ChemNanoMat 2023; 9:e202300225. [PMID: 38292294 PMCID: PMC10827321 DOI: 10.1002/cnma.202300225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Using a spatially varying light pattern with light activated semi-conductor based magnetic TiO2 micromotors, we study the difference in micromotor flux between illuminated and non-illuminated regions in the presence and absence of an applied magnetic field. We find that the magnetic field enhances the flux of the motors which we attribute to a straightening of the micromotor trajectories which decreases the time they spend in the illuminated region. We also demonstrate spatially patterned light-induced aggregation of the micromotors and study its time evolution at various micromotor concentrations. Although light induced aggregation has been observed previously, spatial patterning of aggregation demonstrates a further means of control which could be relevant to swarm control or self-assembly applications. Overall, these results draw attention to the effect of trajectory shape on the flux of active colloids as well as the concentration dependence of aggregation and its time dependence within a spatially patterned region, which is not only pertinent to self-assembly and swarm control, but also provides insight into the behavior of active matter systems with spatially varying activity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Rivas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, 130 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Max Sokolich
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, 130 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Sambeeta Das
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, 130 Academy Street, Newark, DE 19716
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Liu Y, Lin G, Medina-Sánchez M, Guix M, Makarov D, Jin D. Responsive Magnetic Nanocomposites for Intelligent Shape-Morphing Microrobots. ACS Nano 2023; 17:8899-8917. [PMID: 37141496 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
With the development of advanced biomedical theragnosis and bioengineering tools, smart and soft responsive microstructures and nanostructures have emerged. These structures can transform their body shape on demand and convert external power into mechanical actions. Here, we survey the key advances in the design of responsive polymer-particle nanocomposites that led to the development of smart shape-morphing microscale robotic devices. We overview the technological roadmap of the field and highlight the emerging opportunities in programming magnetically responsive nanomaterials in polymeric matrixes, as magnetic materials offer a rich spectrum of properties that can be encoded with various magnetization information. The use of magnetic fields as a tether-free control can easily penetrate biological tissues. With the advances in nanotechnology and manufacturing techniques, microrobotic devices can be realized with the desired magnetic reconfigurability. We emphasize that future fabrication techniques will be the key to bridging the gaps between integrating sophisticated functionalities of nanoscale materials and reducing the complexity and footprints of microscale intelligent robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen, 518055 Guangdong Province, P. R. China
| | - Gungun Lin
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069 Dresden, Germany
- Chair of Micro- and NanoSystems, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Dresden University of Technology, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Guix
- Universitat de Barcelona, Departament de Ciència dels Materials i Química Física, Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Denys Makarov
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research, Bautzner Landstrasse 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dayong Jin
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Mayorga-Burrezo P, Mayorga-Martinez CC, Pumera M. Photocatalysis dramatically influences motion of magnetic microrobots: Application to removal of microplastics and dyes. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 643:447-454. [PMID: 37086534 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Micromachines gain momentum in the applications for environmental remediation. Magnetic components have been used to functionalize light-responsive micromachines to achieve efficient magnetic microrobots with photodegradation activity for decomposition of environmental pollutants. However, the influence of photocatalyst itself on the trajectory of micromotors in conjunction with magnetic motion was never considered. In this work, light-powered catalysis and transversal rotating magnetic field have been independently and simultaneously applied over Fe3O4@BiVO4 microrobots to investigate the dynamics of their hybrid motion. Light exposure of microrobots results in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which power the microrobots, in addition to magnetic powered motion, and have a strong influence on the magnetic trajectories, resulting in an unexpected alteration of the direction of the motion of the microrobots. We have subsequently applied such magnetic/light powered micromachines for removal of microplastics in cigarette filter residues, one of the major contributors to the microplastic pollution, and dyes via photocatalysis. Such dual orthogonal propulsion modes act independently on the motion of the micromachines; and they also bring additional functionality as photodegradation agents. Hence, the dual magnetic/photocatalytic microrobots shall find a variety of catalytic applications in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Mayorga-Burrezo
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Carmen C Mayorga-Martinez
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic; Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 2172/15, 70800 Ostrava, Czech Republic; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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Singh AK, Awasthi R, Malviya R. Bioinspired microrobots: Opportunities and challenges in targeted cancer therapy. J Control Release 2023; 354:439-452. [PMID: 36669531 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is still the most effective technique to treat many forms of cancer. However, it also carries a high risk of side effects. Numerous nanomedicines have been developed to avoid unintended consequences and significant negative effects of conventional therapies. Achieving targeted drug delivery also has several challenges. In this context, the development of microrobots is receiving considerable attention of formulation scientists and clinicians to overcome such challenges. Due to their mobility, microrobots can infiltrate tissues and reach tumor sites more quickly. Different types of microrobots, like custom-made moving bacteria, microengines powered by small bubbles, and hybrid spermbots, can be designed with complex features that are best for precise targeting of a wide range of cancers. In this review, we mainly focus on the idea of how microrobots can quickly target cancer cells and discuss specific advantages of microrobots. A brief summary of the microrobots' drug loading and release behavior is provided in this manuscript. This manuscript will assist clinicians and other medical professionals in diagnosing and treating cancer without surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rajendra Awasthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences & Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Energy Acres, P.O. Bidholi, Via-Prem Nagar, Dehradun 248 007, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Rahman MM, Garudadri T, Das S. Role of Surface Tension in Microrobot Penetration in Membranes. Int Conf Manip Autom Robot Small Scales 2022; 2022:10.1109/marss55884.2022.9870474. [PMID: 37521089 PMCID: PMC10387354 DOI: 10.1109/marss55884.2022.9870474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
cell-membrane fusion using microrobots can be a useful technique for delivering bioactive compounds to cellular systems. The role of membrane curvature and lipid ordering in the cell membrane penetration process is well known. However, once the fusion into the cell membrane is already initiated, the fluid dynamics of microrobot penetration based on tension difference of the microrobot solution and membrane curvature at the fusion pore has not been explored yet. Here, we demonstrate how surface tension difference among merging interfaces plays role in microrobot droplet penetration into a liquid bath, mimicking cell membrane fusion. The maximum penetration of a microrobot droplet into a liquid bath depends on the positive difference of surface tension between the droplet and liquid bath, longitudinal curvature of the bridge region, and the size of the droplet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahmudur Rahman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA. He is now with Department of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458 USA
| | | | - Sambeeta Das
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA
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Mayorga-Martinez CC, Vyskočil J, Novotný F, Bednar P, Ruzek D, Alduhaishe O, Pumera M. Collective behavior of magnetic microrobots through immuno-sandwich assay: On-the-fly COVID-19 sensing. Appl Mater Today 2022; 26:101337. [PMID: 35018299 PMCID: PMC8739527 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2021.101337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Mobile self-propelled micro/nanorobots are mobile binding surface that improved the sensitivity of many biosensing system by "on-the-fly" identification and isolation of different biotargets. Proteins are powerful tools to predict infectious disease progression such as COVID-19. The main methodology used to COVID-19 detection is based on ELISA test by antibodies detection assays targeting SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein and nucleocapside protein that represent an indirect SARS-CoV-2 detection with low sentitivy and specificity. Moreover ELISA test are limited to used external shaker to obtain homogenously immobilization of antibodies and protein on sensing platform. Here, we present magnetic microrobots that collective self-assembly through immuno-sandwich assay and they can be used as mobile platform to detect on-the-fly SARS-CoV-2 virus particle by its spike protein. The collective self-assembly of magnetic microrobots through immuno-sandwich assay enhanced its analytical performance in terms of sensitivity decreasing the detection limit of SARS-CoV-2 virus by one order of magnitude with respect to the devices previously reported. This proof-of-concept of microrobotics offer new ways to the detection of viruses and proteins of medical interest in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen C Mayorga-Martinez
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vyskočil
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Novotný
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Bednar
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, Brno CZ-62100, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice CZ-37005, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Ruzek
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, Brno CZ-62100, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice CZ-37005, Czech Republic
| | - Osamah Alduhaishe
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Martin Pumera
- Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 166 28, Czech Republic
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Food Technology, Center for Nanorobotics and Machine Intelligence, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno 61300, Czech Republic
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Tous C, Li N, Dimov IP, Kadoury S, Tang A, Häfeli UO, Nosrati Z, Saatchi K, Moran G, Couch MJ, Martel S, Lessard S, Soulez G. Navigation of Microrobots by MRI: Impact of Gravitational, Friction and Thrust Forces on Steering Success. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:3724-3736. [PMID: 34622313 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02865-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Magnetic resonance navigation (MRN) uses MRI gradients to steer magnetic drug-eluting beads (MDEBs) across vascular bifurcations. We aim to experimentally verify our theoretical forces balance model (gravitational, thrust, friction, buoyant and gradient steering forces) to improve the MRN targeted success rate. METHOD A single-bifurcation phantom (3 mm inner diameter) made of poly-vinyl alcohol was connected to a cardiac pump at 0.8 mL/s, 60 beats/minutes with a glycerol solution to reproduce the viscosity of blood. MDEB aggregates (25 ± 6 particles, 200 [Formula: see text]) were released into the main branch through a 5F catheter. The phantom was tilted horizontally from - 10° to +25° to evaluate the MRN performance. RESULTS The gravitational force was equivalent to 71.85 mT/m in a 3T MRI. The gradient duration and amplitude had a power relationship (amplitude=78.717 [Formula: see text]). It was possible, in 15° elevated vascular branches, to steer 87% of injected aggregates if two MRI gradients are simultaneously activated ([Formula: see text] = +26.5 mT/m, [Formula: see text]= +18 mT/m for 57% duty cycle), the flow velocity was minimized to 8 cm/s and a residual pulsatile flow to minimize the force of friction. CONCLUSION Our experimental model can determine the maximum elevation angle MRN can perform in a single-bifurcation phantom simulating in vivo conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Tous
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l, Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.,Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Ning Li
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l, Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.,Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Ivan P Dimov
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l, Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Samuel Kadoury
- Polytechnique Montréal, 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique, 28, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - An Tang
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l, Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.,Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Urs O Häfeli
- University of British Columbia, 2405 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Zeynab Nosrati
- University of British Columbia, 2405 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Katayoun Saatchi
- University of British Columbia, 2405 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | | | | | - Sylvain Martel
- Polytechnique Montréal, 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique, 28, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Simon Lessard
- Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.,École de Technologie Supérieur, 1100 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC, H3C 1K3, Canada
| | - Gilles Soulez
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l, Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), 900 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada. .,Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
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Ghosh A, Ghosh A. Mapping Viscoelastic Properties Using Helical Magnetic Nanopropellers. Trans Indian Natl Acad Eng 2021; 6:429-438. [PMID: 35966905 PMCID: PMC7613280 DOI: 10.1007/s41403-021-00212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Artificial micro/nanomachines have been envisioned and demonstrated as potential candidates for targeted drug or gene delivery, cell manipulation, environmental and biological sensing and in lab on chip applications. Here, we have used helical nanomachines to measure the local rheological properties of a viscoelastic media. The position of the helical nanomachine/ nanopropeller was controlled precisely using magnetic fields with simultaneous measurements of the mechanical properties of a complex and heterogeneous fluidic environment. We demonstrated that the motion of the helical nanopropeller is extremely sensitive to fluid elasticity and the speed of propulsion of the nanopropeller can be used as a measure of the local elastic relaxation time. Taken together, we report a promising new technique of mapping the rheological properties by helical nanopropellers with very high spatial and temporal resolutions, with performance superior to existing techniques of passive or active microrheology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Ghosh
- Department of Electrical Communication Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ambarish Ghosh
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Ahmed D, Sukhov A, Hauri D, Rodrigue D, Gian M, Harting J, Nelson B. Bio-inspired Acousto-magnetic Microswarm Robots with Upstream Motility. NAT MACH INTELL 2021; 3:116-124. [PMID: 34258513 PMCID: PMC7611213 DOI: 10.1038/s42256-020-00275-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The ability to propel against flows, i.e., to perform positive rheotaxis, can provide exciting opportunities for applications in targeted therapeutics and non-invasive surgery. To date, no biocompatible technologies exist for navigating microparticles upstream when they are in a background fluid flow. Inspired by many naturally- occurring microswimmers such as bacteria, spermatozoa, and plankton that utilize the non-slip boundary conditions of the wall to exhibit upstream propulsion, here, we report on the design and characterization of self-assembled microswarms that can execute upstream motility in a combination of external acoustic and magnetic fields. Both acoustic and magnetic fields are safe to humans, non-invasive, can penetrate deeply into the human body, and are well-developed in clinical settings. The combination of both fields can overcome the limitations encountered by single actuation methods. The design criteria of the acoustically-induced reaction force of the microswarms, which is needed to perform rolling-type motion, are discussed. We show quantitative agreement between experimental data and our model that captures the rolling behaviour. The upstream capability provides a design strategy for delivering small drug molecules to hard-to-reach sites and represents a fundamental step toward the realization of micro- and nanosystem-navigation against the blood flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ahmed
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Sukhov
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 90429 Nürnberg, Germany
| | - David Hauri
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Dubon Rodrigue
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Maranta Gian
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland
| | - Jens Harting
- Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 90429 Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Bradley Nelson
- Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS), ETH Zurich, Zurich, CH-8092, Switzerland
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