Nanorobots
Overcoming the challenges of the microscale through innovative ultrasound-driven propulsion systems.
Peak Velocity
1.5 µm/s
The Challenge
Propulsion without Inertia.
“Micro and nanorobots can play a vital role in transforming medicine. However, designing microrobots at the microscale is challenging due to the lack of inertia that exists at this scale.”
One of our strategic areas is the development of new propulsion systems using ultrasound. We study the fundamentals of propulsion mechanisms and apply them in the biomedical field to enable precise, non-invasive navigation.
Biomedical Application
Applying fundamental mechanisms to the biomedical field to solve complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Strategic Innovation
Continuous development of ultrasound-activated systems for high-performance micro-actuation.
Research Leads
Cornel Dillinger
PhD Student
Alexia D. C. Fonseca
PhD Student
Brain Vasculature Navigation
In Vivo Breakthrough
Lipid-Shelled Swarm Intelligence.
We introduce ultrasound-activated microrobots for in vivo navigation in brain vasculature. Our microrobots consist of lipid-shelled microbubbles that autonomously aggregate and propel under ultrasound irradiation.
In vessels of a living mouse brain, these microrobots self-assemble and execute upstream motion against blood flows of ~10 mm/s, achieving velocities up to 1.5 µm/s. This represents a substantial advance towards therapeutic applications within complex neural environments.
Literature
Recent Area Output
All Publications
Nature Communications
2023
Ultrasound-activated microrobots for in vivo navigation in brain vasculature
Demonstrating autonomous aggregation and upstream propulsion in the complex vasculature of a living mouse brain.
DOI
Science Advances
2025
Real-time color flow mapping of ultrasound microrobots
Visualizing individual microrobots in real time with color flow mapping based on acoustically induced structural oscillations.
DOI