Micro- and Nanorobotics for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Actuators (ISSN 2076-0825). This special issue belongs to the section "Actuators for Robotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 511

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chosun University, Chosundaegil 146, Seo-seok-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
Interests: biomaterials; multiscale fabrication; micro-/nanorobotics; biomedical robotics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microrobotics, or nanorobotics, has emerged as a groundbreaking field in biomedical applications, offering innovative solutions for precise diagnosis, targeted therapy, and minimally invasive interventions. These miniature robots, wirelessly actuated through external stimuli, such as magnetic, acoustic, or optical fields, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in navigating confined biological environments, delivering therapeutic agents, and performing intricate medical tasks at the cellular and tissue levels.

This Special Issue aims to explore the latest advancements in micro/nanorobotic systems designed for biomedical applications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the development of novel fabrication techniques, wireless actuation and control strategies, targeted drug delivery mechanisms, real-time imaging and tracking methodologies, and in vivo applications ranging from preclinical studies to potential clinical translations. Particular attention will be given to the integration of these robots into medical workflows, addressing challenges related to biocompatibility, degradation, safety, and large-scale deployment in clinical settings.

We invite contributions from researchers and experts in the fields of biomedical engineering, robotics, materials science, and nanotechnology to showcase their latest findings, experimental breakthroughs, and theoretical advancements. By fostering interdisciplinary discussions, this Special Issue aims to advance the field of micro/nanorobotics, paving the way for next-generation medical technologies that revolutionize disease treatment and patient care.

Dr. Gwangjun Go
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • micro/nano robotics
  • biomimetic robotics
  • soft robotics
  • wireless actuation
  • targeted delivery
  • biomedical applications

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 4987 KiB  
Article
Magnetically Actuated Microstructures with Programmable Degradation for Knee Cartilage Regeneration
by Geonhui Mun, Shirong Zheng and Gwangjun Go
Actuators 2025, 14(5), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14050232 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 416
Abstract
Degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, are increasingly prevalent in aging populations, yet current treatments like stem cell injections face limitations in targeted delivery and efficacy. In this study, we proposed a biodegradable magnetically actuated microstructure for knee cartilage regeneration. The microstructure is [...] Read more.
Degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, are increasingly prevalent in aging populations, yet current treatments like stem cell injections face limitations in targeted delivery and efficacy. In this study, we proposed a biodegradable magnetically actuated microstructure for knee cartilage regeneration. The microstructure is composed of calcium-crosslinked alginate hydrogel embedded with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), allowing for precise control using an external magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic actuation (EMA) system. Fabricated via a centrifugal micro-nozzle process, the microstructures exhibited tunable sizes and uniform morphology. The proposed microstructures were characterized for their morphological, chemical, and magnetic properties, and their biodegradability and targeting ability in a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) environment were experimentally analyzed. Experimental results demonstrated that smaller microstructures degraded more rapidly and that fewer microstructures resulted in improved targeting accuracy. In contrast, microstructures clustered at the lesion site degraded more slowly, supporting sustained therapeutic release. These results suggest that the proposed system can enhance delivery precision, minimize off-target accumulation, and reduce inflammation risks associated with residual materials. The biodegradable magnetically actuated microstructures present a promising platform for minimally invasive and site-specific cartilage therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Micro- and Nanorobotics for Biomedical Applications)
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