Noncontact manipulation using a transversely magnetized rolling robot

A type of magnetic, wireless microrobot has been designed for non-contact manipulation of micro-objects in liquids. The agent, named the RodBot, has typical dimensions of 300 mu m x 60 mu m x 50 mu m. The RodBot is transversely magnetized and rolls around its long axis on a surface in a rotating external magnetic field. In liquid environments, the RodBot generates a rising flow in front of it and a vortex above its body. The flow and vortex are efficient for picking-up and trapping micro-objects of sizes ranging from microns to one millimeter. In viscous solutions, a RodBot can transport objects many times its own size and weight. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.