Acoustic shape-morphing micromachines

TL;DR

This paper introduces an acoustically actuated shape-morphing micromachine that uses microbubbles and micro-hinges to achieve rapid, controllable shape changes at the microscale, with potential applications in soft robotics and biomedical devices.

Contribution

It presents a novel acoustic actuation mechanism for microscale shape transformation, including design principles, programmability, and mode switching capabilities.

Findings

Achieved rapid shape deformation within milliseconds.

Demonstrated programmable and reversible mode switching.

Showcased multifunctionality with high controllability and stability.

Abstract

Shape transformation is crucial for the survival, adaptation, predation, defense, and reproduction of organisms in complex environments. It also serves as a key mechanism for the development of various applications, including soft robotics, biomedical systems, and flexible electronic devices. However, among the various deformation actuation modes, the design of deformable structures, the material response characteristics, and the miniaturization of devices remain challenges. As materials and structures are scaled down to the microscale, their performance becomes strongly correlated with size, leading to significant changes in, or even the failure of, many physical mechanisms that are effective at the macroscale. Additionally, electrostatic forces, surface tension, and viscous forces dominate at the microscale, making it difficult for structures to deform or causing them to fracture easily during deformation. Moreover, despite the prominence of acoustic actuation among various deformation drive modes, it has received limited attention. Here, we introduce an acoustical shape-morphing micromachine (ASM) that provides shape variability through a pair of microbubbles and the micro-hinges connecting them. When excited by external acoustic field, interaction forces are generated between these microbubbles, providing the necessary force and torque for the deformation of the entire micromachine within milliseconds. We established programmable design principles for ASM, enabling the forward and inverse design of acoustic deformation, precise programming, and information storage. Furthermore, we adjusted the amplitude of acoustic excitation to demonstrate the controllable switching of the micromachine among various modes. By showcasing the micro bird, we illustrated the editing of multiple modes, achieving a high degree of controllability, stability, and multifunctionality.