  In recent years, the medical industry has witnessed a growing interest in
minimally invasive procedures, with magnetic microrobots emerging as a
promising approach. These micro-robots possess the ability to navigate through
various media, including viscoelastic and non-Newtonian fluids, enabling
targeted drug delivery and medical interventions. Many current designs,
inspired by micro-swimmers in biological systems like bacteria and sperm,
employ a contact-based method for transporting a payload. Adhesion between the
cargo and the carrier can make release at the target site problematic. In this
project, our primary objective was to explore the potential of a helical
micro-robot for non-contact drug or cargo delivery. We conducted a
comprehensive study on the shape and geometrical parameters of the helical
microrobot, specifically focusing on its capability to transport passive
filaments. Based on our analysis, we propose a novel design consisting of three
sections with alternating handedness, including two pulling and one pushing
microhelices, to enhance the capture and transport of passive filaments in
Newtonian fluids using a non-contact approach. We then simulated the process of
capturing and transporting the passive filament, and tested the functionality
of the newly designed micro-robot. Our findings offer valuable insights into
the physics of helical micro-robots and their potential for medical procedures
and drug delivery. Furthermore, the proposed non-contact method for delivering
filamentous cargo could lead to the development of more efficient and effective
microrobots for medical applications.
