New 3D-printed microrobot mimics worm-like motion at microscopic scale

A 5 µm‑long 3D‑printed microstructure displays worm‑like motion when exposed to an electric field.

Built as a flexible chain of self‑propelling elements and printed with a Nanoscribe 3D microprinter; each element is smaller than the width of a human hair.

Segments are linked by 0.5 µm bar joints; flexibility of rear segments causes twisting and tail‑weaving when movement is constrained.

It propels at roughly 7 µm/s, lacks embedded electronics or an internal power source, and can respond to external stimuli in real time.

Behavior emerges from shape‑motion coupling, suggesting adaptive microscopic robots without onboard electronics could aid biomedical tasks like targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive procedures.