Figure 1.

Therapeutic and diagnostic microrobotic platforms. (A) Multifunctional magnetocatalytic nanoparticle (NP) building blocks for the 2 microrobotic platforms. (B) Schematic of controllable magnetic apparatus for human alveolar process. (C) Formation of aggregated microswarms driven by controlled magnetic fields. (D) Schematic diagram displaying the aggregated microswarms directed toward the apical region of the canal and releasing bioactives simultaneously. (E) Aggregated microswarms are directed toward the apical region of root canal 3D replica. (F) Top panel: molding of NPs embedded 3D helicoids. Bottom panel: miniaturized 3D molded helicoids. (G) Schematic of 3D helicoids guided to the apical region of incompletely formed root releasing bioactives/drugs. (H) Left panel: when a magnetic torque is applied (T), the magnetic dipole moment of the helicoid (M) will seek to align itself with the magnetic field (B), which in turn will lead to the generation of a linear velocity of the helicoid (V). Right panel: controlled locomotion of the 3D helicoid as a result of the generated linear velocity from the applied magnetic torque.