4D‐Printed Microrobots with Synergistic Integration of Magnetic Actuation, Diffractive Optical Sensing, and pH‐Adaptive Morphing

Abstract Soft microrobots exhibit distinct advantages in biomedical applications, with their exceptional maneuverability in confined spaces and environmental adaptability offering innovative solutions for targeted theranostics. However, current systems are inherently constrained by the physical separation of sensing and actuation modules, leading to inadequate integration and operational efficiency that hinder practical implementation. To overcome this challenge, a micro‐nano 4D printing design paradigm is proposed. Through spatial programming of multi‐responsive materials and biomimetic microstructural engineering, a microrobotic system is fabricated with synergistic perception‐actuation capabilities. By integrating gradient magnetic field‐responsive composites and pH‐sensitive hydrogels, a 150‐µm‐scale biomimetic fish‐shaped microrobot is developed, innovatively integrating three functionalities: magnetic‐actuation, pH‐triggered joint actuation, and diffractive optical sensing. Specifically, its tail joint enables adaptive modulation of doxorubicin release kinetics via pH‐mediated mechanical deformation, while the head‐mounted diffractive spectral sensor provides dynamic optical feedback of pathological microenvironment pH (5.0–6.5). Proof‐of‐concept experiments demonstrate the system's precise drug release control and environmental monitoring capabilities in gastric cancer cell therapy. This work provides a 4D printing design approach for next‐generation intelligent therapeutic microrobots capable of environmental perception, intelligent response, and precise execution.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2025-09-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202518838
Primary Topic
Micro and Nano Robotics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

4D‐Printed Microrobots with Synergistic Integration of Magnetic Actuation, Diffractive Optical Sensing, and pH‐Adaptive Morphing

Xiaoduo Wang, Jianchen Zheng, Jingang Wang, Hongji Guo et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Micro and Nano Robotics
article

4D‐Printed Microrobots with Synergistic Integration of Magnetic Actuation, Diffractive Optical Sensing, and pH‐Adaptive Morphing

Xiaoduo Wang, Jianchen Zheng, Jingang Wang, Hongji Guo, Yuping Duan, Haibo Yu, Yuzhao Zhang, Ye Qiu, Lianqing Liu, C.H. Zhang
article en

Abstract

Abstract Soft microrobots exhibit distinct advantages in biomedical applications, with their exceptional maneuverability in confined spaces and environmental adaptability offering innovative solutions for targeted theranostics. However, current systems are inherently constrained by the physical separation of sensing and actuation modules, leading to inadequate integration and operational efficiency that hinder practical implementation. To overcome this challenge, a micro‐nano 4D printing design paradigm is proposed. Through spatial programming of multi‐responsive materials and biomimetic microstructural engineering, a microrobotic system is fabricated with synergistic perception‐actuation capabilities. By integrating gradient magnetic field‐responsive composites and pH‐sensitive hydrogels, a 150‐µm‐scale biomimetic fish‐shaped microrobot is developed, innovatively integrating three functionalities: magnetic‐actuation, pH‐triggered joint actuation, and diffractive optical sensing. Specifically, its tail joint enables adaptive modulation of doxorubicin release kinetics via pH‐mediated mechanical deformation, while the head‐mounted diffractive spectral sensor provides dynamic optical feedback of pathological microenvironment pH (5.0–6.5). Proof‐of‐concept experiments demonstrate the system's precise drug release control and environmental monitoring capabilities in gastric cancer cell therapy. This work provides a 4D printing design approach for next‐generation intelligent therapeutic microrobots capable of environmental perception, intelligent response, and precise execution.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 36(16)
Shanghai University (CN), Shenyang Institute of Automation (CN), First Hospital of China Medical University (CN), Ministry of Education (KN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), China Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 83%
Micro and Nano Robotics
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