Timothy Leong1, Christina Randall2, Bryan Benson1, and David H. Gracias1. (1) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 125 Maryland Hall, 3400 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, (2) Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
We demonstrate the concept of mass-producible, thermally triggered functional tools in the form of microgrippers. The microgrippers close when exposed to a temperature above 40ºC, and their response is triggered by changes in material properties engineered within. Thus, the microgrippers do not require any tubes, wiring, or other tethers and are truly mobile. The microgrippers can be set-free in large numbers or individually manipulated magnetically with ease, even through highly coiled tubes. We have utilized the microgrippers to retrieve beads from substrates and cells within narrow tubes; an in vitro biopsy was also demonstrated.