This structure mimics biological systems in nature, creating unique vibration patterns by twisting symmetrically beyond simple bending or tilting, depending on the magnetization profile within the structure and the external magnetic field gradient. Moreover, the microstructure accurately followed even small rotational changes in magnetic fields with high vibration frequency, while maintaining nearly constant deformation amplitude.
Utilizing this feature, Wie’s team demonstrated soft robotic movements resembling walking and the directional control of fluid flow. The microstructure’s motion in liquid could control fluid flow clockwise or counterclockwise, enabling free liquid flow regulation without pumps or complex pipelines.
This research was supported by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS). It was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Kim Jun-o from KRISS and Dr. Koo Ja-hyun from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.
The paper, titled “Collective and Rapid High Amplitude Magnetic Oscillation of Anisotropic Micropillar Arrays,” was published in the renowned international journal ACS Nano and selected as a cover article. Dr. Jeon Ji-soo and Moon Ho-jun, a combined master’s and doctoral student in the Department of Organic and Nano Engineering, were joint first authors, with Professor Wie and Dr. Kim serving as corresponding authors.
Read the original article on Hanyang University.
