Jakarta, INTI – An exciting innovation has emerged from Seoul, South Korea, where researchers at Hanyang University have successfully developed magnetic microrobots developed mangnetic microbots capable of working together like an ant colony.This breakthrough opens new possibilities in robotics, especially for solving challenges that are impossible for a single robot to handle. The full study has been published in the journal Device.
These tiny robots not only move collectively but also demonstrate complex, coordinated behavior mirroring how ants collaborate to complete large-scale tasks
Outstanding Physical Capabilities at a Micro Scale
Although each robot measures only 600 micrometers in height, their physical abilities are remarkable. They can climb over obstacles five times their own height and carry loads up to 2,000 times their own weight in liquid environments, and 350 times on solid ground.
Even more impressively, the robots can form rafts to transport objects across water surfaces, a rare capability for micro-scale robots.
Unique Cube Design for Stronger Magnetic Interaction
Unlike traditional spherical microrobots, each robot in this system is cube-shaped and contains ferromagnetic neodymium-iron-boron particles. This cubic design enhances magnetic interactions between robots, allowing for stronger and more stable connections when moving and coordinating as a group.
Real-World Application Potential
These magnetic microrobots have significant potential across various fields.
• Medical: Potential for minimally invasive procedures, such as clearing arterial blockages.
• Environmental: Applications in removing microplastics from oceans and other bodies of water.
• Industrial: Capable of performing precision tasks in manufacturing and logistics that require high coordination.
in experiments led by Jeong Jae Wie of the Department of Organic and Nano Engineering, the robots successfully unclog a tube resembling a blocked blood vessel and guided the movement of small organisms through rotational and orbital dragging movements.
Towards Full Autonomy in the Future
Despite their impressive performance, the microrobots currently rely on external magnetic control to operate. The next step in development focuses on enhancing autonomous navigation using real-time feedback mechanisms. The goal is for these robots to eventually navigate complex environments independently.
Conclusion
The development of magnetic microrobots by the research team at Hanyang University is not just a technological achievement, but a major leap toward the future of collaborative robotics. Inspired by nature and driven by the demands of medical and industrial innovation, these robots prove how micro-level teamwork can lead to transformative real-world applications.
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