Introduction

Micro-nano robotics involves the design and fabrication of robots in micro-nano scales (e.g. from molecular machines to micro-swimmers), as well as manipulation of micro-nano scaled objects and fabrication with micro-nano accuracy. With recent emphases clinically on improved surveillance and earlier diagnosis, an increasing proportion of procedures performed will aim to target smaller lesions that are more amenable to minimally invasive procedures. The development of cell-based therapy and single-cell omics have also called for the development of miniaturised robots for surgery and targeted therapy with micro-nano instruments and smart actuators with integrated sensing and imaging, supported by advances in materials, micro-nano fabrication and micro-nano machining. The Centre covers basic science research related to sensing, power, communication, navigation, manipulation, locomotion, and onboard computation of micro-nano robotics. The research issues addressed by the centre include, for example, the development of biodegradable and non-cytotoxic microrobots, development of autonomous devices capable of self-directed targeting, catheter (e.g. fibrebot) based delivery of microrobots near the target, tracking and control of swarms of devices in vivo, and the pursuit of clinically relevant therapies.

Research Interests

• Multi-material micro-nano fabrication (e.g. with two photon polymerization and femtosecond lasers)
• Nano-tweezers for biomolecules and cell manipulation and characterisation
• Micro-nano scale self-assembly and robot swarms
• Micro-nano engineering for organs-on-chip
• Bioinspired and biohybrid micro-nano robotics
• Targeted drug delivery and new theranostics with micro-nano robotics