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Biomimetics
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Advance in Bio-Inspired Micro-Robotics
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Advance in Bio-Inspired Micro-Robotics

A special issue of Biomimetics (ISSN 2313-7673). This special issue belongs to the section "Locomotion and Bioinspired Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2023) | Viewed by 5757

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Wenguang Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
Interests: microfabrication; 3D printing; bio-inspired robot; micro–nano manipulation; light- and magnetic-powered robot

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bio-mimicking robots or bio-inspired robots, which are designed based on some animals and creatures are so fascinating and amazing that they are already being loved for their designs and their considerable applications. This research is aimed at developing a new class of biologically inspired robots that exhibit much greater robustness in performance in unstructured environments than today's robots. We are interested in learning concepts from nature and applying them to the design of real-world engineered systems. More specifically, this field is about making robots that are inspired by biological systems. Bio-mimicry and bio-inspired design are sometimes confused. Bio-mimicry is copying nature, while bio-inspired design is learning from nature and making a mechanism that is simpler and more effective than the observed natural system.

In this Special Issue, we seek to bring together current research achievements, findings, and ideas in bio-inspired systems that benefit from bio-mimetic design and methods. We invite biologists, mycologists, material scientists, computer scientists, engineers, architects, physicists, and those from other disciplines to present the results of their research within the field of bionics.

Dr. Wenguang Yang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomimetics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bionics
  • bio-mimicry
  • bio-inspired robotics
  • bio-mimicking robots
  • smart materials
  • soft robotics
  • actuators
  • micro-robotics

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 11053 KiB  
Article
Development and Improvement of a Piezoelectrically Driven Miniature Robot
by Guangping Wu, Ziyang Wang, Yuting Wu, Jiaxin Zhao, Feng Cui, Yichen Zhang and Wenyuan Chen
Biomimetics 2024, 9(4), 226; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biomimetics9040226 - 09 Apr 2024
Viewed by 615
Abstract
In this paper, we proposed a miniature quadrupedal piezoelectric robot with a mass of 1.8 g and a body length of 4.6 cm. The robot adopts a novel spatial parallel mechanism as its transmission. Each leg of the robot has two degrees of [...] Read more.
In this paper, we proposed a miniature quadrupedal piezoelectric robot with a mass of 1.8 g and a body length of 4.6 cm. The robot adopts a novel spatial parallel mechanism as its transmission. Each leg of the robot has two degrees of freedom (DOFs): swing and lift. The trajectory necessary for walking is achieved by the appropriate phasing of these two DOFs. A new manufacturing method for piezoelectric actuators was developed. During the stacking process, discrete patterned PZT pieces are used to avoid dielectric failure caused by laser cutting. Copper-clad FR-4 is used as the solder pad instead of copper foil, making the connection between the pad and the actuator more reliable. The lift powertrain of the robot was modeled and the link length of the powertrain was optimized based on the model. The maximum output force of each leg can reach 26 mN under optimized design parameters, which is 1.38 times the required force for successful walking. The frequency response of the powertrain was measured and fitted to the second-order system, which enabled increased leg amplitudes near the powertrain resonance of approximately 70 Hz with adjusted drive signals. The maximum speed of the robot without load reached 48.66 cm/s (10.58 body lengths per second) and the payload capacity can reach 5.5 g (3.05 times its mass) near the powertrain resonance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Bio-Inspired Micro-Robotics)
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12 pages, 2048 KiB  
Article
Inchworm-like Soft Robot with Multi-Responsive Bilayer Films
by Xufeng Wang, Wei Pu, Ruichen Zhang and Fanan Wei
Biomimetics 2023, 8(5), 443; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biomimetics8050443 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1189
Abstract
As an important branch of robotics, soft robots have the advantages of strong flexibility, a simple structure, and high safety. These characteristics enable soft robots to be widely used in various fields such as biomedicine, military reconnaissance, and micro space exploration. However, contemporary [...] Read more.
As an important branch of robotics, soft robots have the advantages of strong flexibility, a simple structure, and high safety. These characteristics enable soft robots to be widely used in various fields such as biomedicine, military reconnaissance, and micro space exploration. However, contemporary soft crawling robots still face problems such as the single drive mode and complex external equipment. In this study, we propose an innovative design of an inchworm-like soft crawling robot utilizing the synergistic interaction of electricity and moisture for its hybrid dual-drive locomotion. The legs of the soft robot are mainly made of GO-CNT/PE composite film, which can convert its own volume expansion into a corresponding bending motion after being stimulated by electricity or moisture. Unlike other drive methods, it requires less power and precision from external devices. The combination of the two driving methods greatly improves the environmental adaptability of the soft robot, and we developed visible light as the driving method on the basis of the dual drive. Finally, we also verified the robot’s excellent load capacity, climbing ability, and optical drive effect, which laid the foundation for the application of soft robots in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Bio-Inspired Micro-Robotics)
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11 pages, 2117 KiB  
Article
A Bionic Venus Flytrap Soft Microrobot Driven by Multiphysics for Intelligent Transportation
by Xiaowen Wang, Yingnan Gao, Xiaoyang Ma, Weiqiang Li and Wenguang Yang
Biomimetics 2023, 8(5), 429; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biomimetics8050429 - 17 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1181
Abstract
With the continuous integration of material science and bionic technology, as well as increasing requirements for the operation of robots in complex environments, researchers continue to develop bionic intelligent microrobots, the development of which will cause a great revolution in daily life and [...] Read more.
With the continuous integration of material science and bionic technology, as well as increasing requirements for the operation of robots in complex environments, researchers continue to develop bionic intelligent microrobots, the development of which will cause a great revolution in daily life and productivity. In this study, we propose a bionic flower based on the PNIPAM–PEGDA bilayer structure. PNIPAM is temperature-responsive and solvent-responsive, thus acting as an active layer, while PEGDA does not change significantly in response to a change in temperature and solvent, thus acting as a rigid layer. The bilayer flower is closed in cold water and gradually opens under laser illumination. In addition, the flower gradually opens after injecting ethanol into the water. When the volume of ethanol exceeds the volume of water, the flower opens completely. In addition, we propose a bionic Venus flytrap soft microrobot with a bilayer structure. The robot is temperature-responsive and can reversibly transform from a 2D sheet to a 3D tubular structure. It is normally in a closed state in both cold (T < 32 °C) and hot water (T > 32 °C), and can be used to load and transport objects to the target position (magnetic field strength < 1 T). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Bio-Inspired Micro-Robotics)
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Review

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23 pages, 9611 KiB  
Review
Macrophage-Based Microrobots for Anticancer Therapy: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives
by Van Du Nguyen, Jong-Oh Park and Eunpyo Choi
Biomimetics 2023, 8(7), 553; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/biomimetics8070553 - 18 Nov 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2045
Abstract
Macrophages, which are part of the mononuclear phagocytic system, possess sensory receptors that enable them to target cancer cells. In addition, they are able to engulf large amounts of particles through phagocytosis, suggesting a potential “Trojan horse” drug delivery approach to tumors by [...] Read more.
Macrophages, which are part of the mononuclear phagocytic system, possess sensory receptors that enable them to target cancer cells. In addition, they are able to engulf large amounts of particles through phagocytosis, suggesting a potential “Trojan horse” drug delivery approach to tumors by facilitating the engulfment of drug-hidden particles by macrophages. Recent research has focused on the development of macrophage-based microrobots for anticancer therapy, showing promising results and potential for clinical applications. In this review, we summarize the recent development of macrophage-based microrobot research for anticancer therapy. First, we discuss the types of macrophage cells used in the development of these microrobots, the common payloads they carry, and various targeting strategies utilized to guide the microrobots to cancer sites, such as biological, chemical, acoustic, and magnetic actuations. Subsequently, we analyze the applications of these microrobots in different cancer treatment modalities, including photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and various synergistic combination therapies. Finally, we present future outlooks for the development of macrophage-based microrobots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance in Bio-Inspired Micro-Robotics)
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