Light Sailboats: Laser driven autonomous microrobots

TL;DR

This paper presents a simple, light-driven microrobot system where wedge-shaped particles are propelled on surfaces by reflected light, enabling autonomous motion for studying microscopic robotic behaviors.

Contribution

Introduction of a novel light-driven microrobot system using wedge-shaped particles for autonomous movement on surfaces.

Findings

Particles move effectively when illuminated from above.

The system enables controlled, autonomous motion of microscopic robots.

Potential applications in studying self-propelled microrobots.

Abstract

We introduce a system of light driven microscopic autonomous moving particles that move on a flat surface. The design is simple, yet effective: Micrometer sized objects with wedge shape are produced by photopolymerization, they are covered with a reflective surface. When the area of motion is illuminated perpendicularly from above, the light is deflected to the side by the wedge shaped objects, in the direction determined by the position and orientation of the particles. The momentum change during reflection provides the driving force for an effectively autonomous motion. The system is an efficient tool to study self propelled microscopic robots.