FRR: Programmable soft microrobots with amoeboid locomotion within porous microenvironments

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $420,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

This Foundational Research in Robotics (FRR) project pioneers a new class of magnetic soft microrobots capable of locomotion within confined and porous environments, such as biological tissues. Existing microrobots primarily rely on swimming-based propulsion, which becomes ineffective in densely packed, wall-confined environments. In contrast, most mammalian cells migrate through tissues by dramatically altering their shape, a strategy this project seeks to replicate using soft materials with magnetically encoded shape-changing instructions. The objective of this research is to create a new class of programmable, cell-sized microrobots that can deform and crawl through tortuous paths using bioinspired locomotion. The findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies, including navigating tumor tissue for targeted drug delivery, and inspire designs for robust micro- or macro-scale robots capable of navigating other complex, unstructured terrains, such as soil in agriculture or rubble in disaster response. The educational plan will contribute to building a skilled STEM workforce through curriculum development, mentoring, and outreach activities, including engagement of undergraduate and K-12 students. The project will integrate high-resolution microfabrication techniques with a heat-assisted magnetic programming approach to produce cell-sized robots made from magnetic soft materials. These robots will be programmed with spatially distributed magnetization profiles that enabl

Key facts

NSF award ID
2505842
Awardee
University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
SAM.gov UEI
LCLSJAGTNZQ7
PI
Yunus Alapan
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS (CPS), ROBOTICS
Estimated total
$420,000
Funds obligated
$420,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
10/01/2025 → 09/30/2028