Miniature Robots Propel Micro-Optics and Biology Forward

Cornell researchers have developed the smallest walking robots, measuring 2 to 5 microns, capable of interacting with visible light for advanced imaging and force measurement. These magnetically controlled microbots can move independently, serving as diffraction elements for super-resolution microscopy, and have potential applications in DNA research and clinical sensing tasks. The innovation combines microrobotics with optical engineering, allowing these robots to shape light and act as extensions of microscope lenses.