About this book
With this book, we present the reader with a mosaic of topics that cover multiple aspects of microbiorobotics research. The chapters in this book are independently written by the authors. Together, they cover theoretical, biological, and synthetic microrobotics.
Theoretical microbiorobotics
In theoretical microbiorobotics, we explore the swarm control and optimization. One of the challenges in deploying microrobots is direct control of a large number of actuators at the cellular level. In relation to that, several chapters in this book are devoted to control at the “colony” level. Chapter 1 by Becker addresses the control of swarms of robots at the microscale using global inputs for breaking symmetry. Chapter 2 by Amokrane, Belharet, and Ferreira reviews the optimization of magnetic forces for guiding magnetic nanoparticles for drug delivery in the inner ear.
Biological microrobots
In Biological microrobotics, we explore the current development of biological microrobots that are manipulated using various external stimuli, including magnetic field, electric field, and chemical cues. These microrobots are classified based on their direct incorporation of live microorganisms for actuation and sensing. In Chapter 3, Han et al. discuss the development of an active controllable tumor targeting bacteriobot. Khalil and Misra, in Chapter 4, present the culturing methods of Magnetospirillum Magnetotacticum for the fabrication of magnetotactic bacteria and the directional control of such bacteria using external magnetic fields. Chapter 5 by Kim et al. reviews the autonomous control of the bacteria-powered microrobots to achieve obstacle avoidance. In Chapter 6, Jung reviews microorganism interaction with boundary for the understanding of natural bio-locomotion and development of bio-inspired microrobots.
Synthetic microrobots
For synthetic microrobotics, we review microrobots with artificially fabricated actuators. The development of synthetic microrobots is largely dependent on micro- and nanofabrication technologies. While they do not possess the complicated structures of microorganisms for propulsion and sensing, synthetic microrobotics has the potential to create optimized microscale manipulation tool for specific purposes without having to deal with the uncertainties that are innate to microorganisms. In Chapter 7, Cheang et al. present the implementation of a nonlinear feedback controller for the three bead achiral robotic microswimmers. In Chapter 8, Palagi et al. review the control of helically shaped microrobots in viscoelastic fluids. In Chapter 9, Steager et al. discuss the fabrication and control ferromagnetic composite microtransporters for microbiology. In Chapter 10, Jing et al. review the development of a microforce sensing mobile microrobot for mechanobiology and automated biomanipulation.