In this section
The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") investigates convergence science approaches to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales.
The Micro-Nano Innovation Lab ("mini lab") investigates convergence science approaches to develop new intelligent sensing and robotic strategies in micro/nano scales. We study nanotechnology, light-matter interactions, micro-particle dynamics, microscale fluid dynamics, and bioengineering to reach our goal. The research involves the design and manufacture of micro/nano systems for diagnostics (e.g. infections, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases) and microscopic therapies/surgeries (e.g. localised drug delivery, novel minimally invasive procedures).
Timely identification of illnesses, less intrusive interventions, and precise/personalised treatments in challenging areas within our bodies, like narrow blood vessels, are essential technologies for improved healthcare management. The foundation for empowering these technologies lies in the development of devices capable of sensitively detecting disruptions in microenvironments that impact normal physiology and of precisely addressing these issues via targeted drug delivery, surgery, etc. at the cellular and molecular levels (micro/nano scales). Understanding the pathophysiology and engineering of the designs and functionalities of such devices accordingly is, thus, vital to enhancing current medical technology. Also, this has the potential to drive the development of advanced medical micro-robots with integrated sensing and therapeutic capabilities, offering new opportunities for future advancements in healthcare.
Early detection of diseases followed by minimally invasive, targeted and personalised therapy can have evident advantages for patients in terms of prognosis, health management, and economic implications. First, it can reduce excessive physical and biochemical alterations to the microenvironments, e.g. scarring after resection, antimicrobial resistance after antibiotics administration, etc., offering a better prognosis with fewer side effects. Micro/nanodevices can also be engineered to be implantable, enabling long-term health monitoring and treatment. Finally, the localised and precise manner of the technology allows efficient planning of the optimal procedures and accurate dosage, resulting in reduced cost.
Mr Seungyeop Kang
Research Postgraduate
Dr Jang Ah Kim
Assistant Professor
Mr Louis Quaire--Merlin
Research Postgraduate
We are currently recruiting two PhD students (Home/UK only) on the projects listed below, with one Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to be advertised shortly within the same research scope — so keep an eye on the announcement!
If you are interested in multidisciplinary engineering at the microscale for the precision manufacturing of medical devices, please email the following to Dr Jang Ah Kim (j.a.kim@imperial.ac.uk):
PhD project areas
Please note: these studentships are open to candidates eligible for Home (UK) fee status. Please confirm your eligibility in your cover letter.
@article{Cao:2025,
author = {Cao, Y and Xie, R and Schönhöfer, P and Burdis, R and Wang, R and Sun, R and Xie, K and Zou, J and Song, X and Lau, QY and LIN, J and Kim, JA and Georgiev, D and Tang, J and Ng, H-C and Bibikova, O and Zuo, Y and Lu, X and Glotzer, SC and Stevens, M},
journal = {Science Advances},
title = {Permanent magnetic droplet-derived microrobots},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Microrobots hold significant potential for precision medicine. However, challenges remain in balancing multifunctional cargo loading with efficient locomotion and in predicting behavior in complex biological environments. Here, we present permanent magnetic droplet-derived microrobots (PMDMs) with superior cargo-loading capacity and dynamic locomotion capabilities. Produced rapidly via cascade tubing microfluidics, PMDMs can self-assemble, disassemble, and reassemble into chains that autonomously switch among four locomotion modes—walking, crawling, swinging, and lateral movement. Their reconfigurable design allows navigation through complex and constrained biomimetic environments, including obstacle negotiation and stair climbing with record speed at the submillimeter scale. We also developed a molecular dynamics-based computational platform that predicts PMDM assembly and motion. PMDMs demonstrated precise, programmable cargo delivery (e.g., drugs and cells) with post-delivery retrieval. These results establish both a physical and in-silico foundation for future microrobot design and represent a key step toward clinical translation. Teaser: Permanent magnetic droplet-derived microrobots possess enhanced cargo-loading and locomotion capabilities.
AU - Cao,Y
AU - Xie,R
AU - Schönhöfer,P
AU - Burdis,R
AU - Wang,R
AU - Sun,R
AU - Xie,K
AU - Zou,J
AU - Song,X
AU - Lau,QY
AU - LIN,J
AU - Kim,JA
AU - Georgiev,D
AU - Tang,J
AU - Ng,H-C
AU - Bibikova,O
AU - Zuo,Y
AU - Lu,X
AU - Glotzer,SC
AU - Stevens,M
PY - 2025///
SN - 2375-2548
TI - Permanent magnetic droplet-derived microrobots
T2 - Science Advances
ER -
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