An electromagnetic anglerfish-shaped millirobot with wireless power generation

Female anglerfishes have a lantern-shape luminous organ sprouting from the middle of their heads to lure their prey in the dark deep sea. Inspired by the anglerfish, we designed an electromagnetic anglerfish-shaped millirobot that can receive energy and transform it into light to attract algae cells to specific locations. The small wireless powered robot can receive about 658 mW of power from external energy supply coils, and light LEDs (light-emitting diodes). The wireless power generation and moving control of the robot are analyzed systematically. Transmitting electric energy to smaller scale receivers to endow milli or micro robots with wireless power function is an interesting and promising research direction. With this function, the wireless powered robot is expected to be extensively used at the small scale in the near future, such as to provide electricity to drive microdevices (microgrippers, microsensors, etc.), provide light or heat in small-scale space, stimulate/kill pathological cells in minimally invasive treatment and so on.

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