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Bioinspired Ultrasound Microrobots
Inspired by naturally-occurring microswimmers such as spermatozoa that exploit the nonslip boundary conditions of a wall, we propose here a microrobot design (a “sperm-bot”) that can execute upstream motility triggered by ultrasound.
Keywords: Robotics, micro and nanorobots, microrobotics, soft robotics ultrasound, bioinspired
We will develop artificial ultrasound-activated spermatozoa (sperm-bots) and study their motion near walls in biologically-relevant fluid mediums. The sperm-bots is fabricated from biocompatible polymers using a custom ultraviolet photopolymerization method (Fig 1). When exposed to ultrasound, the sperm-bot’s tail oscillates, creating a pair of counter-rotating vortices (Fig. 1a). Although the exact mechanism behind the resulting propulsive force is unknown, we attribute it to stress due to microstreaming and the force of tail vibration.
We will develop artificial ultrasound-activated spermatozoa (sperm-bots) and study their motion near walls in biologically-relevant fluid mediums. The sperm-bots is fabricated from biocompatible polymers using a custom ultraviolet photopolymerization method (Fig 1). When exposed to ultrasound, the sperm-bot’s tail oscillates, creating a pair of counter-rotating vortices (Fig. 1a). Although the exact mechanism behind the resulting propulsive force is unknown, we attribute it to stress due to microstreaming and the force of tail vibration.
-We will characterize sperm-bot upstream propulsion in microfluidic channels under physiologically-relevant conditions, including non-pulsatile and pulsatile flow.
-We will investigate the hydrodynamic interactions of sperm-bots near walls.
-We will investigate propulsion in Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids such as viscoelastic mediums and shear-thinning gels.
-We will characterize sperm-bot upstream propulsion in microfluidic channels under physiologically-relevant conditions, including non-pulsatile and pulsatile flow.
-We will investigate the hydrodynamic interactions of sperm-bots near walls.
-We will investigate propulsion in Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids such as viscoelastic mediums and shear-thinning gels.