Photothermal-Responsive Shape-Memory Magnetic Helical Microrobots with Programmable Addressable Shape Changes

Faced with complex and diverse tasks, researchers seek to introduce stimuli-responsive materials into the field of microrobots. Magnetic helical microrobots based on shape-memory polymers demonstrate excellent locomotion capability and programmable shape transformations. However, the stimulation method of shape changes is still dependent on the rising of ambient temperature and lacks the ability to address individuals among multiple microrobots. In this paper, magnetic helical microrobots were prepared based on polylactic acid and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which demonstrated controlled locomotion under rotating magnetic fields and programmable shape changes in their length, diameter, and chirality. The transition temperature of shape recoveries was adjusted to a range above 37 °C. At 46 °C, helical microrobots had a fast shape change with a recovery ratio of 72% in a minute. The photothermal effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles under near-infrared laser can actuate the shape recovery rapidly, with a recovery ratio of 77% in 15 s and 90% in a minute. The stimulation strategy also allows addressing among multiple microrobots, or even within a single microrobot, selectively stimulating one or a part to change its shape. Combined with the magnetic field, laser-addressed shape changes were used for precise deployment and individual control of microrobots. Multiple microrobots can be enriched at the targeted point, heating the ambient temperature over 46 °C. The shape changes of internal parts of microrobots help them to grasp and assemble objects. Such microrobots have great potential in biomedicine and micromanipulation.