Mobile Microrobotics

The first textbook on micron-scale mobile robotics, introducing the fundamentals of design, analysis, fabrication, and control, and drawing on case studies of existing approaches. Progress in micro- and nano-scale science and technology has created a demand for new microsystems for high-impact applications in healthcare, biotechnology, manufacturing, and mobile sensor networks. The new robotics field of microrobotics has emerged to extend our interactions and explorations to sub-millimeter scales. This is the first textbook on micron-scale mobile robotics, introducing the fundamentals of design, analysis, fabrication, and control, and drawing on case studies of existing approaches. The book covers the scaling laws that can be used to determine the dominant forces and effects at the micron scale; models forces acting on microrobots, including surface forces, friction, and viscous drag; and describes such possible microfabrication techniques as photo-lithography, bulk micromachining, and deep reactive ion etching. It presents on-board and remote sensing methods, noting that remote sensors are currently more feasible; studies possible on-board microactuators; discusses self-propulsion methods that use self-generated local gradients and fields or biological cells in liquid environments; and describes remote microrobot actuation methods for use in limited spaces such as inside the human body. It covers possible on-board powering methods, indispensable in future medical and other applications; locomotion methods for robots on surfaces, in liquids, in air, and on fluid-air interfaces; and the challenges of microrobot localization and control, in particular multi-robot control methods for magnetic microrobots. Finally, the book addresses current and future applications, including noninvasive medical diagnosis and treatment, environmental remediation, and scientific tools.

Microrobotics is an emerging and booming area with many and various applications, including in fields such as industrial/manufacturing robotics, medical robotics, and laboratory instrumentation. Microrobotics for Micromanipulation presents for the first time, in detail, a treatment of the field of robotics dedicated to handling objects of micrometer dimensions. At these dimensions, the behavior of objects is significantly different from the better known, larger scales, which leads to implementation techniques that can be radically different from the more commonly used solutions. This book details the behaviors of objects at the micrometer scale and provides robotics solutions that are suitable, in terms of actuators, grippers, manipulators, environmental perception, and microtechnology. Worked examples are included in the book - enabling engineers, students and researchers to familiarize themselves with this emerging area and to contribute to its development.

Combining robotics with nanotechnology, this ready reference summarizes the fundamentals and emerging applications in this fascinating research field. This is the first book to introduce tools specifically designed and made for manipulating micro- and nanometer-sized objects, and presents such examples as semiconductor packaging and clinical diagnostics as well as surgery. The first part discusses various topics of on-chip and device-based micro- and nanomanipulation, including the use of acoustic, magnetic, optical or dielectrophoretic fields, while surface-driven and high-speed microfluidic manipulation for biophysical applications are also covered. In the second part of the book, the main focus is on microrobotic tools. Alongside magnetic micromanipulators, bacteria and untethered, chapters also discuss silicon nano- and integrated optical tweezers. The book closes with a number of chapters on nanomanipulation using AFM and nanocoils under optical and electron microscopes. Exciting images from the tiniest robotic systems at the nano-level are used to illustrate the examples throughout the work. A must-have book for readers with a background ranging from engineering to nanotechnology.

From conception to realization, Microrobotics: Methods and Applications covers all aspects of miniaturized systems that physically interact and manipulate objects at the microscale. It provides a solid understanding of this multidisciplinary field, which combines areas of materials science, mechanical engineering, and applied physics. Requiring no

The authors of this book provide the first review of haptic optical tweezers, a new technique which brings together force feedback teleoperation and optical tweezers. This technique allows users to explore the microworld by sensing and exerting piconewton-scale forces with trapped microspheres. The design of optical tweezers for high-quality haptic feedback is challenging, given the requirements for very high sensitivity and dynamic stability. The concept, design process and specification of optical tweezers reviewed throughout this book focus on those intended for haptic teleoperation. The authors provide two new specific designs as well as the current state of the art. Furthermore, the remaining important issues are identified for further developments. Haptic optical tweezers will soon become an invaluable tool for force feedback micromanipulation of biological samples and nano- and micro-assembly parts.

The field of microrobotics has seen tremendous advances in recent years. The principles governing the design of such submillimeter scale robots rely on an understanding of microscale physics, fabrication, and novel control strategies. This monograph provides a tutorial on the relevant physical phenomena governing the operation and design of microrobots, as well as a survey of existing approaches to microrobot design and control. It also provides a detailed practical overview of actuation and control methods that are commonly used to remotely power these designs, as well as a discussion of possible future research directions. Potential high-impact applications of untethered microrobots such as minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment inside the human body, biological studies or bioengineering, microfluidics, desktop micromanufacturing, and mobile sensor networks for environmental and health monitoring are reported.

This proceedings volume contains selected papers presented at the 2014 AASRI International Conference on Applied Engineering Sciences, held in Hollywood, LA, USA. Contributions cover the latest developments and advances in the field of Applied Engineering Sciences.

Biomechatronics is rapidly becoming one of the most influential and innovative research directions defining the 21st century. Biomechatronics will provide a complete and up-to-date account of this advanced subject at the university textbook level. Each chapter in this book will be co-authored by top industry experts in the corresponding subfield, and will be led by Professor Marko B. Popovic, researcher and educator at the forefront of advances in the biomechatronics field. Beginning with an introduction to the field and its historical background, this book will delve into the most groundbreaking and recent developments in biomechatronics, such as artificial organs and tissues, prosthetic limbs, orthotic systems, wearable systems for physical augmentation, physical therapy and rehabilitation, robotic surgery, and natural and synthetic sensors. The only biomechatronics textbook written especially for students at a university level Ideal for undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the biomechatronics, biomechanics, robotics, and biomedical engineering fields Provides an overview of state-of-the-art science and technology of modern day biomechatronics, introduced by the leading experts in this fascinating field