Deadline for submissions: December 15, 2023

Aims & Scope: Robots with micro dimensions are of interest for applications ranging from vehicles for manipulating cells/tissues in biology research, and to devices for investigating in limited space or in silence. The limited classes of structures and materials that can be used in such robots, however, create challenges in achieving desired performance parameters and modes of operation. This special issue aims to review the state of the art of micro-robots in the aspects of the actuation or driving method, the manufacturing technology, and potential applications of micro-robots and offers some perspective on their future developments.

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• The design strategy and actuation method of micro-robots
• The manufacturing method and technology of micro-robots
• The sensing and control of micro-robots
• The potential applications of micro-robots

Keywords: Mechanical design, Actuation principle, Manufacturing strategy, Power supply, Bio-inspired structure, Sensing and control, Applications.

Guest Editors information:

Name: Professor Xiaogang Guo

Affiliation: Beijing Institute of Technology

Bio: Dr. Xiaogang Guo is a tenured Associate Professor at Institute of Advance Structure Technology of Beijing Institute of Technology. His research field includes the metamaterials with tunable mechanical behaviors, micro robots, and flexible electronics and its based deformation feedback system. Dr. Guo has published more than 40 papers in prestigious journals such as Science Robotics, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, and Composite Science and Technology, et.al.

Name: Professor Qi Ge

Affiliation: Southern University of Science and Technology

Bio: Dr. Qi Ge is a tenured Associate Professor at Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering of Southern University of Science and Technology. His research field also includes Multifunctional 3D printing, Mechanics of Soft Materials, Soft Robotics, Intelligent Materials and Structures, Flexible Electronics and many others. Dr. Ge has published more than 70 research articles in journals such as Science, Science Advances, Nature Communications, Advanced Materials, Advanced Energy Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, PRL, JMPS.

Name: Professor Kan Li

Affiliation: Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Bio: Dr. Kan Li is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.  His research mainly focuses on the design and manufacturing of flexible and stretchable electronics, 3D assembly process and 3D microfliers.  Dr. Li has published more than 30 papers in prestigious journals such as Nature, Nature Communications, Science Advances, PNAS, Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, JMPS, etc.