Islam S. M. Khalil

MagnetoSperm: A microrobot that navigates using weak magnetic fields

In this work, a propulsion system similar in motion to a sperm-cell is investigated. This system consists of a structure resembling a sperm-cell with a magnetic head and a flexible tail of 42 μm and 280 μm in length, respectively. The thickness, length, and width of this structure are 5.2 μm, 322 μm, and 42 μm, respectively. The magnetic head includes a 200 nm-thick cobalt-nickel layer. The cobalt-nickel layer provides a dipole moment and allows the flexible structure to align along oscillating weak (less than 5mT) magnetic field lines, and hence generates a propulsion thrust force that overcomes the drag force. The frequency response of this system shows that the propulsion mechanism allows for swimming at an average speed of 158 ± 32 μm/s at alternating weak magnetic field of 45 Hz. In addition, we experimentally demonstrate controlled steering of the flexible structure towards reference positions.

Precise Localization and Control of Catalytic Janus Micromotors using Weak Magnetic Fields

We experimentally demonstrate the precise localization of spherical Pt-Silica Janus micromotors (diameter 5 μm) under the influence of controlled magnetic fields. First, we control the motion of the Janus micromotors in two-dimensional (2D) space. The control system achieves precise localization within an average region-of-convergence of 7 μm. Second, we show that these micromotors provide sufficient propulsion force, allowing them to overcome drag and gravitational forces and move both downwards and upwards. This propulsion is studied by moving the micromotors in three-dimensional (3D) space. The micromotors move downwards and upwards at average speeds of 19.1 μm/s and 9.8 μm/s, respectively. Moreover, our closed-loop control system achieves localization in 3D space within an average region-of-convergence of 6.3 μm in diameter. The precise motion control and localization of the Janus micromotors in 2D and 3D spaces provides broad possibilities for nanotechnology applications.

The Control of Self-Propelled Microjets Inside a Microchannel With Time-Varying Flow Rates

We demonstrate the closed-loop motion control of self-propelled microjets inside a fluidic microchannel. The motion control of the microjets is achieved in hydrogen peroxide solution with time-varying flow rates, under the influence of the controlled magnetic fields and the self-propulsion force. Magnetic dipole moment of the microjets is characterized using the U-turn and the rotating field techniques. The characterized magnetic dipole moment has an average of 1.4×10-13 A.m2 at magnetic field, linear velocity, and boundary frequency of 2 mT, 100 μm/s, and 25 rad/s, respectively. We implement a closed-loop control system that is based on the characterized magnetic dipole moment of the microjets. This closed-loop control system positions the microjets by directing the magnetic field lines toward the reference position. Experiments are done using a magnetic system and a fluidic microchannel with a width of 500 μm. In the absence of a fluid flow, our control system positions the microjets at an average velocity and within an average region-of-convergence (ROC) of 119 μm/s and 390 μm, respectively. As a representative case, we observe that our control system positions the microjets at an average velocity and within an average ROC of 90 μm/s and 600 μm and 120 μm/s and 600 μm when a flow rate of 2.5 μl/min is applied against and along the direction of the microjets, respectively. Furthermore, the average velocity and ROC are determined throughout the flow range (0 to 7.5 μl/min) to characterize the motion of the microjets inside the microchannel.

Three-dimensional closed-loop control of self-propelled microjets

We demonstrate precise closed-loop control of microjets under the influence of the magnetic fields in three-dimensional (3D) space. For this purpose, we design a magnetic-based control system that directs the field lines towards reference positions. Microjets align along the controlled field lines using the magnetic torque exerted on their magnetic dipole, and move towards the reference positions using their self-propulsion force. We demonstrate the controlled motion of microjets in 3D space, and show that their propulsion force allows them to overcome vertical forces, such as buoyancy forces, interaction forces with oxygen bubbles, and vertical flow. The closed-loop control localizes the microjets within a spherical region of convergence with an average diameter of 406+/-220 lm, whereas the self-propulsion force allows them to swim at an average speed of 222674 lm/s within the horizontal plane. Furthermore, we observe that the controlled microjets dive downward and swim upward towards reference positions at average speeds of 232+/-40 lm/s and 316+/-81 lm/s, respectively.

Wireless Magnetic-Based Closed-Loop Control of Self-Propelled Microjets

In this study, we demonstrate closed-loop motion control of self-propelled microjets under the influence of external magnetic fields. We control the orientation of the microjets using external magnetic torque, whereas the linear motion towards a reference position is accomplished by the thrust and pulling magnetic forces generated by the ejecting oxygen bubbles and field gradients, respectively. The magnetic dipole moment of the microjets is characterized using the U-turn technique, and its average is calculated to be 1.310−10 A.m2 at magnetic field and linear velocity of 2 mT and 100 µm/s, respectively. The characterized magnetic dipole moment is used in the realization of the magnetic force-current map of the microjets. This map in turn is used for the design of a closed-loop control system that does not depend on the exact dynamical model of the microjets and the accurate knowledge of the parameters of the magnetic system. The motion control characteristics in the transient- and steady-states depend on the concentration of the surrounding fluid (hydrogen peroxide solution) and the strength of the applied magnetic field. Our control system allows us to position microjets at an average velocity of 115 m/s, and within an average region-of-convergence of 365 m.

Closed-loop control of magnetotactic bacteria

Realization of point-to-point positioning of a magnetotactic bacterium (MTB) necessitates the application of a relatively large magnetic field gradients to decrease its velocity in the vicinity of a reference position. We investigate an alternative closed-loop control approach to position the MTB. This approach is based on the characterization of the magnetic dipole moment of the MTB and its response to a field with alternating direction. We do not only find agreement between our characterized magnetic dipole moment and previously published results, but also observe that the velocity of the MTB decreases by 37% when a field with alternating direction is applied at 85 Hz. The characterization results allow us to devise a null-space control approach which capitalizes on the redundancy of magnetic-based manipulation systems. This approach is based on two inputs. The first controls the orientation of the MTB, whereas the second generates a field with alternating direction to decrease its velocity. This control is accomplished by the redundancy of our magnetic-based manipulation system which allows for the projection of the second input onto the null-space of the magnetic force-current map of our system. A proportional–derivative control system positions the MTB at an average velocity and region of convergence of 29 μm s−1 and 20 μm, respectively, while our null-space control system achieves an average velocity and region of convergence of 15 μm s−1 and 13 μm, respectively.

Magnetic-Based Motion Control of Paramagnetic Microparticles With Disturbance Compensation

Magnetic systems have the potential to control the motion of microparticles and microrobots during targeted drug delivery. During their manipulation, a nominal magnetic force-current map is usually derived and used as a basis of the control system design. However, the inevitable mismatch between the nominal and actual force-current maps along with external disturbances affects the positioning accuracy of the motion control system. In this paper, we devise a control system that allows for the realization of the nominal magnetic force-current map and the point-to-point positioning of paramagnetic microparticles. This control is accomplished by estimating and rejecting the 2-D disturbance forces using an inner loop based on a disturbance force observer. In addition, an outer loop is utilized to achieve stable dynamics of the overall magnetic system. The control system is implemented on a magnetic system for controlling microparticles of paramagnetic material, which experience magnetic forces that are related to the gradient of the field-squared. We evaluate the performance of our control system by analyzing the transient- and steady-state characteristics of the controlled microparticle for two cases. The first case is done without estimating and rejecting the mismatch and the disturbance forces, whereas the second case is done while compensating for these disturbance forces. We do not only obtain 17% faster response during the transient state, but we are also able to achieve 23% higher positioning accuracy in the steady state for the second case (compensating disturbance forces). Although the focus of this paper is on the wireless magnetic-based control of paramagnetic microparticle, the presented control system is general and can be adapted to control microrobots.

Characterization and control of biological microrobots

This work addresses the characterization and control of Magnetotactic Bacterium (MTB) which can be considered as a biological microrobot. Magnetic dipole moment of the MTB and response to a field-with-alternating-direction are characterized. First, the magnetic dipole moment is characterized using four techniques, i.e., Transmission Electron Microscopy images, flip-time, rotating-field and u-turn techniques. This characterization results in an average magnetic dipole moment of 3.32×10−16 A.m2 and 3.72×10−16 A.m2 for non-motile and motile MTB, respectively. Second, the frequency response analysis of MTB shows that its velocity decreases by 38% for a field-with-alternating-direction of 30 rad/s. Based on the characterized magnetic dipole moment, the magnetic force produced by our magnetic system is five orders-of-magnitude less than the propulsion force generated by the flagellum of the MTB. Therefore, point-to-point positioning of MTB cannot be achieved by exerting a magnetic force. A closed-loop control strategy is devised based on calculating the position tracking error, and capitalizes on the frequency response analysis of the MTB. Point-to-point closed-loop control of MTB is achieved for a reference set-point of 60 μm with average velocity of 20 μm/s. The closed-loop control system positions the MTB within a region-of-convergence of 10 μm diameter.

Magnetic control of potential microrobotic drug delivery systems: Nanoparticles, magnetotactic bacteria and self-propelled microjets

Development of targeted drug delivery systems using magnetic microrobots increases the therapeutic indices of drugs. These systems have to be incorporated with precise motion controllers. We demonstrate closed-loop motion control of microrobots under the influence of controlled magnetic fields. Point-to-point motion control of a cluster of iron oxide nanoparticles (diameter of 250 nm) is achieved by pulling the cluster towards a reference position using magnetic field gradients. Magnetotactic bacterium (MTB) is controlled by orienting the magnetic fields towards a reference position. MTB with membrane length of 5 μm moves towards the reference position using the propulsion force generated by its flagella. Similarly, self-propelled microjet with length of 50 μm is controlled by directing the microjet towards a reference position by external magnetic torque. The microjet moves along the field lines using the thrust force generated by the ejecting oxygen bubbles from one of its ends. Our control system positions the cluster of nanoparticles, an MTB and a microjet at an average velocity of 190 μm/s, 28 μm/s, 90 μm/s and within an average region-of-convergence of 132 μm, 40 μm, 235 μm, respectively.

Magnetic-Based Closed-Loop Control of Paramagnetic Microparticles using Ultrasound Feedback

Controlling the motion of microrobots based on feedback provided using an imaging modality is essential to make them clinically viable. In this study, we demonstrate the wireless magnetic-based motion control of paramagnetic microparticles using ultrasound feedback. This control is accomplished by pulling the microparticles using the magnetic field gradients towards the reference position through feedback provided by an ultrasound system. First, position of the microparticles is determined using the ultrasound images. Second, calibration of the ultrasound-based tracking of microparticles is achieved and verified using a calibrated microscopic system. Third, the feedback provided by the ultrasound system is used in the implementation of a proportional-derivative magnetic-based control system. This control system allows us to achieve point-to-point control of microparticles with an average position tracking error of 48±59 μm, whereas a control system based on a microscopic system achieves an average position tracking error of 21±26 μm. The positioning accuracy accomplished using our ultrasound magnetic-based control system demonstrates the ability to control microrobotic systems in situations where visual feedback cannot be provided via microscopic systems.