Soft electronics are rising electronic technologies towards applications spanning from healthcare monitoring to medical implants. However, poor adhesion strength and significant mechanical mismatches inevitably cause the interface failure of devices. Herein we report a self-adhesive conductive polymer that possesses low modulus (56.1-401.9 kPa), high stretchability (700%), high interfacial adhesion (lap-shear strength >1.2 MPa), and high conductivity (1-37 S/cm). The self-adhesive conductive polymer is fabricated by doping the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) composite with a supramolecular solvent (β-cyclodextrin and citric acid). We demonstrated the solution process-based fabrication of self-adhesive conductive polymer-based electrodes for various soft devices, including alternating current electroluminescent devices, electromyography monitoring, and an integrated system for the visualization of electromyography signals during muscle training with an array of alternating current electroluminescent devices. The self-adhesive conductive polymer-based electronics show promising features to further develop wearable and comfortable bioelectronic devices with the physiological electric signals of the human body readable and displayable during daily activities.

Biohybrid soft microrobots are rapidly delivered to tortuous and tiny lumens deep inside the digestive system.

The small size and wireless actuation of microrobots make them potential candidates for minimally invasive medicine. To advance microrobots to future clinical application, microrobotics researchers have investigated a number of key issues, in which swarm control is a primary challenge and is attracting increasing attention. As a single microrobot has limited volume and surface area, clinically relevant tasks, including in-vivo tracking, usually require simultaneous control of a large swarm of microrobots. Unlike macroscale robots, implementing on-board actuators and sensors for microrobots is challenging, which differentiates swarm microrobotics from other swarm robotics approaches. This article systematically summarizes the state of the art for this emerging field, including actuation systems with different power sources, swarm behaviors modeling and simulation, swarm control strategies, and targeted biomedical applications. Actuation principles of microrobot swarms are categorized in detail, and critical comparisons are made to provide guidance and insight for future swarm microrobotics researchers. Considering the unique features of swarm microrobotics compared to traditional swarm robotics, this article also emphasizes the modeling, simulation, and control of microrobot swarms. Furthermore, recent biomedical applications of microrobot swarms are summarized to illustrate specific application scenarios. Finally, we provide an assessment of the future directions of swarm microrobotics.

Inspired by Richard Feynman's 1959 lecture and the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage, the field of micro/nanorobots has evolved from science fiction to reality, with significant advancements in biomedical and environmental applications. Despite the rapid progress, the deployment of functional micro/nanorobots remains limited. This review of the technology roadmap identifies key challenges hindering their widespread use, focusing on propulsion mechanisms, fundamental theoretical aspects, collective behavior, material design, and embodied intelligence. We explore the current state of micro/nanorobot technology, with an emphasis on applications in biomedicine, environmental remediation, analytical sensing, and other industrial technological aspects. Additionally, we analyze issues related to scaling up production, commercialization, and regulatory frameworks that are crucial for transitioning from research to practical applications. We also emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address both technical and nontechnical challenges, such as sustainability, ethics, and business considerations. Finally, we propose a roadmap for future research to accelerate the development of micro/nanorobots, positioning them as essential tools for addressing grand challenges and enhancing the quality of life.