Advancements in Bioinspired Microfabrication: From 3D Printing to Multifunctional Small-Scale Robots

The development of bioinspired machines and robots at small scales, ranging from centimetres to nanometres, has garnered significant interest from the scientific and engineering communities. These machines, which mimic the biological features of living organisms, have the potential to operate in confined and complex environments, offering a wide array of applications such as exploration, manipulation, environmental monitoring, and precision medicine. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques, including direct laser writing and 3D biofabrication, have provided versatile solutions for creating biomimetic and biohybrid 3D objects at small scales. Despite these advancements, there remain significant gaps in our understanding of the limitations and potential improvements of these micromanufacturing methods, as well as the highest impact applications of these technologies.

This Research Topic aims to collect recent advancements in bioinspired and biohybrid machines at small scales (sub-centimetre and below) fabricated using high-resolution micromanufacturing techniques. We aim to answer cutting-edge questions regarding the prototyping of small-scale machines, including which additive micromanufacturing methods can be used to create 3D biomimetic structures at these scales, the current limitations of these methods, and potential modifications or improvements to create multifunctional structures. Additionally, we seek to identify the highest impact proof-of-concept applications of microfabricated technologies.

To gather further insights into the boundaries of bioinspired robotics at small scales, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Novel bioinspired microfabricated materials and miniature soft robots
- Novel microfabrication techniques (including 3D and 4D printing)
- Bioinspired machines fabricated using high-resolution micromanufacturing techniques (e.g., via two-photon lithography)
- Biohybrid machines (consisting of living tissues and artificial materials)
- Biodegradable and/or sustainable robots at small scales
- Design and modelling of small-scale robots
- Proof of concept of applications

We accept the following types of manuscripts: Original Research, Report, Review, Perspective, and Opinion.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Bioinspired Robotics, Soft Robotics, Biomimetics, Bio-Hybrid Materials, Two-Photo Lithography, Bioprinting, Micro-Fabrication, Sustainability

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.