Superparamagnetic nanoparticles and a functional, degradable polymer matrix based on poly(ethylene glycol) are combined to enable fully degradable magnetic microdevices for minimally invasive biomedical applications. A bioinspired helical microrobot platform mimicking Escherichia coli bacteria is fabricated and actuated using weak rotating magnetic fields. Locomotion based on corkscrew propulsion, targeted drug delivery, and low-degradation-product cytotoxicity are demonstrated.
Keywords: cytotoxicity; degradable composites; superparamagnetic particles; swimming microrobots; targeted drug delivery.
© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.