Robust and Fast‐Transforming Soft Microrobots Driven by Low Magnetic Field

Y Yuanyuan Wang H Haili Qin N Niu Liu Q Qin‐Nan Hu (Anhui Province Engineering Research Center of Flexible and Intelligent Materials School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China) H Huai‐Ping Cong (Anhui Province Engineering Research Center of Flexible and Intelligent Materials School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei P.R. China) S Shu‐Hong Yu (New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Department of Chemistry Institute of Biomimetic Materials and Chemistry Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China)

Abstract

Abstract Magnetically driven soft microrobots, characterized by their small size, soft structure, and responsiveness to magnetic fields, offer unique advantages such as high maneuverability, biocompatibility, and remote control, making them suitable for a variety of applications across multiple fields. Achieving low‐power actuation for microrobots is more accessible, safer, and cost‐effective, dependent on the precise quality and arrangement of their magnetic domains. However, traditional approaches integrating multi‐domain magnetic microstructures often introduce trade‐offs between mechanical stability and responsiveness. Here, a magnetic domain assembly method is presented for the fabrication of robust soft microrobots with fast transforming behaviors powered by low magnetic fields (3–15 mT). By developing a composite ink containing polyacrylamide chains grafted onto magnetizable single‐domain ferromagnetic NdFeB nanostructures, precise control over domain orientation within ultrafine filaments (80 µm) is achieved by magnetic field‐assisted 3D printing process, allowing complex and rapid shape morphing in under 1 s, even with less than 2 wt.% NdFeB. This uniform magnetic alignment results in a tenfold increase in mechanical toughness and impressive stretchability (1600%). With top‐performing actuation performance at low magnetic fields, the microrobots demonstrate multimodal locomotion and robust tasking capabilities, showcasing their transformative potential for next‐generation soft robotics.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 37
Published September 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (6)

Y

Yuanyuan Wang

H

Haili Qin

N

Niu Liu

Q

Qin‐Nan Hu

Anhui Province Engineering Research Center of Flexible and Intelligent Materials School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei 230009 China

H

Huai‐Ping Cong

Anhui Province Engineering Research Center of Flexible and Intelligent Materials School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Hefei University of Technology Hefei P.R. China

S

Shu‐Hong Yu

New Cornerstone Science Laboratory Department of Chemistry Institute of Biomimetic Materials and Chemistry Anhui Engineering Laboratory of Biomimetic Materials Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale University of Science and Technology of China Hefei 230026 China