Overview
- Peer-reviewed papers in Science Robotics and PNAS describe light-powered microrobots roughly 200×300×50 micrometres that integrate processors, memory, sensors and actuators on a single CMOS-fabricated device.
- Each unit costs about one cent to make, runs on microscopic solar cells producing tens of nanowatts, and executes custom ultra‑low‑power instructions designed to fit within tiny on‑chip memory.
- Propulsion comes from electrokinetic fields that drive ions in the surrounding fluid, enabling motion at about one body length per second with no moving parts and durability over months under LED illumination.
- Onboard sensors measure local temperature to about 0.33°C, and robots report values via encoded motion patterns observable under a microscope.
- Unique optical addresses let researchers program individual robots with light pulses, enabling differentiated roles and coordinated group behaviors demonstrated in lab trials.