Current Issue : October-December Volume : 2026 Issue Number : 4 Articles : 5 Articles
Conventional magnetic soft robots are fundamentally limited by static magnetization profiles and the absence of integrated perception, which restricts their adaptive functionality and environmental interactivity in dynamic settings. To address these challenges, we introduce a photothermal reprogramming strategy utilizing custom-designed PEG/SmFeN microspheres. Within these microspheres, the intrinsic photothermal effect of SmFeN particles enables selective rewriting of magnetic domains through near-infrared-induced solid-liquid phase transitions. This approach allows a single robot to achieve multiple locomotion modes and execute sophisticated shape transformations. The robot rolls substantially faster than it creeps, and the multilegged configuration further enhances locomotion, achieving a maximum speed of 1.8 BL/s (27 mm/s) in the multi-legged rolling mode. Furthermore, a liquid-metal Archimedean spiral capacitive sensor is integrated via microelectronic printing to form an actuation-sensing system. This integrated sensor detects environmental changes and monitors self-motion through identifiable capacitance patterns while maintaining stable operation over 100 cycles. In a simulated gastric environment, the system successfully distinguishes between rolling and creeping gaits while tracking terrain interaction, demonstrating its potential for minimally invasive medical procedures and targeted therapy. Together, these capabilities set the stage for adaptive soft robots with spatially programmable actuation, integrated multimodal sensing, and a thermally safe reprogramming profile suitable for biomedical use....
Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is the central functional readout of pancreatic islets, yet existing assays often require offline processing or pooling of multiple islets, limiting real-time assessment of single-islet function. Here we report a microscopy-compatible isleton- a-chip (IOC) integrated with light scattering-based broadband backscattering confocal microscopy (BBCM) for continuous, label-free optical readout of insulin secretion dynamics in functional human islets. Fabricated using two-photon polymerization, the IOC-BBCM sensor stabilizes single human islets under continuous perfusion for high-resolution optical interrogation. The sensor identifies insulin-rich β-cells label-free, as confirmed by insulin immunostaining, and monitors granule depletion and redistribution during glucose and potassium chloride (KCl) stimulation, matching ELISA-quantified insulin secretion from the same perfused islets. This modular sensor provides a non-destructive, label-free approach for monitoring stimulus-linked secretion dynamics from individual human islets and should support longitudinal studies of islet function....
Negatively charged molecules and anions are widely present in the natural environment and can pose a threat to aquatic life, affecting their survival and reproduction. As the understanding of the hazards of negatively charged molecules and ions deepens, the need for real-time monitoring governs the development of highly sensitive and convenient sensing materials. Here, highly luminescent Zn-Cu-In-S core–shell colloidal quantum dots were grafted onto cotton fabric to produce a fluorescence cotton fabric (FCF) optical sensor demonstrating photoluminescence response to the presence of several anions in water, such as phosphate (PO4 3−), hydroxide (OH−), fluoride (F−), chloride (Cl−), or bromide (Br−). After contact with water solutions containing these anions, PL output from FCF remarkably decreases, with specific functional dependence on the concentration of the selected anions. The fluorescent fabric sensing material is easy to operate, achieving realtime detection of negatively charged groups and showing great potential for application in environmental monitoring....
Humanoid robots operating near humans require short protective reaction times in physical human–robot interaction (pHRI). Safety standards distinguish between quasi-static and transient contact. This paper quantifies the reaction timing of a compliant pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM) mechanism under controlled preload conditions. Measurements were performed at 10 N, 50 N, and 100 N preload using synchronised load-cell force, PAM pressure, actuator position, and force-sensitive resistor (FSR) signals. Reaction timing was evaluated relative to the FSR-defined contact onset, at which the controller issued the pressure-release command. The force trace reached its first post-contact peak within 15–20 ms after onset, while the pressure peak occurred within 5–15 ms. A 90% recovery of the post-contact force excursion was achieved within 40–50 ms, whereas the corresponding pressure excursion required 155–180 ms. These timing results quantify reaction latency in PAM-actuated humanoid joints and support multi-modal sensing for robust onset localisation and mitigation monitoring in both ISO/TS 15066 contact types....
A sensor for measuring the amplitude and phase response of electromagnetic fields employing an optical sensing head is presented. The optical detection process enables field measurements undistorted by disturbances from metals due to wires and electronic circuitry. Up-mixing of the signal to the optical domain by means of plasmonic antenna modulators enables measurements with optical tools, removing the need for high-frequency electronics. Theory shows that sensitive field measurements only limited by thermal noise, can be achieved. Finally, the robustness of the suggested scheme is assessed in an experiment....
Loading....