Micro Swimming Robots Powered by a Single-Axis Alternating Magnetic Field with Controllable Manipulation

Abstract

We herein demonstrate micro swimming robots powered by a single-axis magnetic system with controllable mobility and stability. Five distinctive advancements have been achieved: (1) using a single-axis alternating magnetic field to remotely power propeller-style micro swimming robots; (2) controllable moving speed as well as direction for the swimming structure by regulating magnetic field magnitude, frequency, and direction; (3) ultrafast moving speed of 19.1 body length per second under a magnetic field of 1.5 mT; (4) several underwater maneuvering demos including upwards, downwards and stationary motions and movements towards a target location to carry out basic tasks; and (5) attitude stability achieved by the effect of center of pressure over center of mass.