Electromagnetic Slime Sentinels: Transforming Drug Delivery, Object Extraction, and Healing Innovations

Abstract

Magnetic small soft-bodied robots are perfect for targeted medication administration, micromanipulation, and minimally invasive surgery because they provide non-invasive access to confined locations. Presently available magnetically operated small soft robots are based on elastomers (silicone) and fluids, such as ferrofluid or liquid metal; however, they have certain drawbacks. Robots built on elastomers have trouble deforming, which makes it challenging for them to maneuver in extremely constrained spaces. Although they may deform more easily, fluidbased robots have unstable forms and limited environmental adaptation. The non-Newtonian fluid- based magnetically actuated slime robots shown in this work combine the notable deformation capabilities of fluid-based robots with the flexibility of elastomer-based robots. These slime robots can move on different surfaces in intricate surroundings and navigate via tiny channels as little as 1.5 mm in diameter. They can carry out various tasks, including transporting, ingesting, and gripping solid items, and also adapt to various surfaces. Magnetic slime robots, combining the properties of non-Newtonian fluids and elastomers, offer promising solutions for targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive surgeries. This review discusses the design, preparation, and applications of magnetic slime robots, highlighting their potential to revolutionize biomedical operations. It also highlights their stability among different atmospheric conditions, marking a new age of targeted drug delivery systems and predicting various innovations and concepts related to magnetic slime robots.