EU - PRINTBOT - Multi-Material 3D-Printing for Nano-Engineered Microbots

Microbots have the potential to revolutionize modern medicine by performing precise operations at microscopic scales, enabling safer and more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. However, breakthrough innovations required to significantly enhance patient care are currently hindered by challenges in manufacturing at the lowest microscale, particularly limitations in material versatility, nanoscale resolution, and design flexibility. These constraints result in inefficient propulsion and restricted functional capabilities in current microbots. The PRINTBOT project aims to overcome these challenges by developing sub-10 μm microbots with highly efficient propulsion systems and advanced functionalities. Two propulsion concepts will be explored for operation in liquid environments: (1) artificial ciliary microbots – 20 times smaller than current models, and (2) magnetic helical swimmers with novel designs for efficient locomotion. Beyond propulsion, PRINTBOT will introduce innovative functionalities, such as controlled cargo mechanisms and heating antennas that can be modularly attached to microbots. These features will allow the microbots to selectively capture / transport / release particles, and carry out localized hyperthermia treatments, such as targeted tumor cell inhibition. The project will also create the ImmunoBot, an artificial immune cell designed to capture and neutralize pathogens through targeted heating, mimicking the body´s natural defense mechanisms. These innovations will be enabled by PRINTBOT´s pioneering work in multi-material 3D- nanoprinting, allowing a seamless, modular integration of materials with various functionalities within a single 3D-structure, establishing new benchmarks in nanoscale additive manufacturing. PRINTBOT´s outcomes are expected to drive progress not only in microrobotics but also to advance applications in Lab-on-a-Chip systems, sensors, and biomedical engineering, opening new horizons for healthcare innovations.