Soft minirobots based on biodegradable optical devices

• Grant number: 25/05189-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Eric Fujiwara
• Grantee: Júlia Cristina Xavier de Lima
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/09181-0 - Development of agar-based biodegradable optical fibers for sensing, AP.R

Abstract

Soft robots based on biocompatible and biodegradable materials emerge as promising technologies for in-vivo manipulation and surveillance in minimally invasive surgeries, imaging systems, and drug delivery, ensuring accurate and harmless interactions. Agar distinguishes amongst available materials as a renewable, edible, thermoreversible, and low-cost alternative, besides exhibiting adjustable optical and mechanical characteristics by choosing its chemical composition. Recent works reported agar-made actuators driven by pneumatic, thermal, and electromagnetic stimuli. Nevertheless, integrating current technologies through control loops is unfeasible since most devices lack sensing systems for assessing the mechanical output (force and displacement) in real time. Therefore, this proposal aims to develop novel agar minirobots equipped with optical fiber sensors. Firstly, we will evaluate selected designs for soft manipulators and mobile entities by investigating the contributions of the robot material and the transducing mechanism (fluidic, optical, or electromagnetic). Afterward, we will validate the manufactured devices and compare the experimental results with analytical models. Concomitantly, optical fiber sensors coupled to the soft structures will quantify the mechanical output for further static and dynamic characterization. Once accomplished, this project will contribute to the photonics, robotics, and medical areas by conceiving new soft robotics systems enhanced by optical fiber sensors and conveying biocompatible smart actuators for biochemical, biomedical, and environmental applications.