Licensing opportunity
Many wireless sub millimetre size microrobots have been proposed, but few working devices have been developed because of problems with propulsion, power transmission, wireless actuators, and control of individual actuators.
A new class of wireless actuator developed at ETH Zurich combines power and control in the same signal, creating an effective, scalable and usable wireless micro actuator.
The actuator operates without wires or circuitry, is low cost, disposable and suitable for wireless sub-millimetre robot platforms.
Power is transmitted by oscillating magnetic fields. Actuators capture this power and convert it to energy. The actuator responds to specific resonant frequencies, which means multiple actuators can be driven with the same driving field through the use of time or frequency multiplexing.
The device can be used in a variety of industrial or medical areas. Suggested uses include wireless medical implants, diagnostic systems, and drug delivery systems.
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