合体・分解型マイクロゲルロボット

抄録

In this study, we propose a reconfigurable microgel robot which can be assembled and disassembled by light irradiation. Reconfigurable modular robot is attracting large attention because of its scalability, self-healing function, and flexibility. However, few modular robots in microscale have not been proposed yet. We propose a concept of reconfigurable microgel robot and fabricate a module of this robot. The module has “drive” and “assemble/ disassemble” functions that are required to realize a reconfigurable microrobot. For driving the robot made of thermosresponsive gel, PNIPAAm, we use a volume change of PNIPAAm controlled by light irradiation. For assembly and disassembly of the robots, we use molecular recognition technology using β-cyclodextrin and azobenzene. We succeeded in performing the two basic functions of “drive” and “assemble/ disassemble” by using the proposed module of the microrobot.