In a research paper, scientists from the Tsinghua University proposed a novel enhanced Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing technology, capable of printing composite magnetic structures with different material sin a single step. Furthermore, a soft robot with a hard magnetic material-superparamagnetic material composite was designed and printed.
The new research paper, published Feb. 26 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems, introduces a soft robot based on DLP 3D printing technology, which presents extensive potential for the design and manufacturing of multifunctional soft robots.
According to Wang, "various methods are available for fabricating 2D or 3D magnetic structures. However, traditional processes like mold-assisted forming and UV lithography are restricted by mold shapes and material types, posing challenges in fabricating complex magnetic structures. These methods demand uniform composition throughout the structure, complicating the creation of multifunctional magnetic structures with multiple materials. While multi-step assembly and material bonding techniques can combine different materials for various applications, they struggle with ensuring the size range and precision of the fabricated structures." Based on these problems, Wang, the author of this study, proposed introduces an advanced DLP technique. This method enables the fabrication of composite magnetic structures comprising different materials in a single printing process. Utilizing this technique, we fabricated various composite structures, including magnetic soft-hard material composites, gradient composites with different concentrations of magnetic materials, and hard magnetic-superparamagnetic composites.
Wang said this study introduces innovative aspects and implementation principles of multi-material one-step 3D printing for magnetically driven soft structures. It includes mechanical and magnetic characterization of 3D printed structures, as well as demonstration of sample applications. The design and verification of soft robot composed of hard magnetic materials and superparamagnetic materials are introduced in detail, with emphasis on the distribution of magnetic domains and the thermal effects of superparamagnetic materials. Evaluate the ground maneuverability of these soft robots and demonstrate their ability to overcome obstacles and capture and transport objects. In addition, the robots' swimming ability in a liquid environment was examined and their swimming posture was analyzed using a multi-physics coupled simulation.
The author indicates that after addressing issues such as the adhesion between high-concentration magnetic structures and release films, the reduction in effective curing depth, and the sedimentation of magnetic particles, and after undergoing biocompatibility tests, this research may be applicable to the design of capsule robots with drug delivery capabilities, transporting drug particles to wound sites in biological tissues.
Authors of the paper include Zhaoxin Li, Ding Weng, Lei Chen, Yuan Ma, Zili Wang, Jiadao Wang.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 52275200) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant No. 52205312).
The paper, "Enhanced DLP-Based One-Step 3D Printing of Multifunctional Magnetic Soft Robot" was published in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems on Feb 26, 2025, at DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0215.
