{"title":"A Multifunctional Capsule-like Puncture Biopsy Robot for the Gastrointestinal System.","authors":"Xinmiao Xu, Jinghan Gao, Dingwen Tong, Yiqun Zhao, Xinjian Fan, Wanning Ge","doi":"10.3390/mi16050589","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050589","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs) are difficult to diagnose accurately due to their deep location and the limitations of traditional biopsy tools. To address these issues, we propose a multifunctional capsule-shaped puncture biopsy robot (PBR) with capabilities for tissue sampling, thermal hemostasis, and multi-stage drug delivery. The PBR measures 27 mm in length and 13 mm in diameter, integrating a micro-scale electro-permanent magnetic system with a 60-turn dual-layer coil (wire diameter: 0.6 mm) to drive an 8 mm-depth puncture needle. A graphene-carbon nanotube composite heating film enables rapid and safe temperature elevation, achieving effective hemostasis and triggering sequential drug release using paraffin-based phase-change materials. Heating remains within the clinical safety range. Experiments demonstrated successful tissue penetration, precise magnetic control, and reliable staged pigment release simulating drug delivery. Tests on an ex vivo porcine stomach confirmed adaptability to irregular gastric surfaces. This compact PBR provides an integrated and minimally invasive approach to both the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal lesions.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optimization of Magnetic Finishing Process and Surface Quality Research for Inner Wall of MP35N Cobalt-Chromium Alloy Vascular Stent Tubing Based on Plasma-Fused Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Magnetic Abrasives.","authors":"Yusheng Zhang, Yugang Zhao, Qilong Fan, Shimin Yang, Shuo Meng, Yu Tang, Guiguan Zhang, Haiyun Zhang","doi":"10.3390/mi16050591","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050591","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To solve the manufacturing problem of the efficient removal of multi-scale surface defects (wrinkles, cracks, scratches, etc.) on the inner wall of MP35N cobalt-chromium alloy vascular stents, this study proposes a collaborative optimization strategy of magnetic abrasive polishing (MAF) based on a new type of magnetic abrasive. In response to the unique requirements for the inner wall processing of high aspect ratio microtubes, metal-based Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> magnetic abrasives with superior performance were prepared by the plasma melt powder spraying method. A special MAF system for the inner wall of the bracket was designed and constructed. The four-factor and three-level Box-Behnken response surface method was adopted to analyze the influences and interactions of tube rotational speed, magnetic pole feed rate, abrasive filling amount, and processing clearance on surface roughness (Ra). The significance order of each parameter for Ra is determined as follows: processing clearance > tube rotational speed > abrasive filling amount > magnetic pole feed rate. Using the established model and multiple regression equations, the optimal parameters were determined as follows: a tube rotational speed of 600 r/min, a magnetic pole feed rate of 150 mm/min, an abrasive filling amount of 0.50 g, and a processing clearance of 0.50 mm. The optimized model predicted an Ra value of 0.104 μm, while the average Ra value verified experimentally was 0.107 μm, with the minimum error being 2.9%. Compared with the initial Ra of 0.486 μm, directly measured by the ultra-depth-of-field 3D microscope of model DSX1000, the surface roughness was reduced by 77.98%. MAF effectively eliminates the surface defects and deteriorated layers on the inner wall of MP35N tubes, significantly improving the surface quality, which is of great significance for the subsequent preparation of high-quality vascular stents and their clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MicromachinesPub Date : 2025-05-18DOI: 10.3390/mi16050590
Xuhui Huang, Raheel Ahmed Janjua, Sailing He
{"title":"High-Resolution Thermometric Scheimpflug LiDAR for Surface Morphology and Temperature Mapping.","authors":"Xuhui Huang, Raheel Ahmed Janjua, Sailing He","doi":"10.3390/mi16050590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050590","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Common surface temperature measurement techniques, when applied to monitoring the temperature of surfaces with complex morphology, suffer from reduced spatial resolution, which compromises the measurement accuracy of the system. To improve the spatial resolution of temperature measurement technology and maintain high temperature sensitivity, we designed a microscopic morphology thermometric LiDAR (MMTL) system based on the Scheimpflug principle, which realizes the real-time restoration of the 3D morphology and temperature of the surface of micro-structured objects. The 3D spatial resolution of the system is better than 3 μm. The theoretical resolution of the self-designed reflective spectrometer can reach 0.9 nm, which improves the sensitivity and accuracy of the upconversion hybrid nanomaterials thermometry based on the intensity ratio. In the wide temperature range of 373.15-508.15 K, the highest relative temperature sensitivity can reach 2.07%/K, the optimal temperature resolution is 0.0131 K, and the error is less than 1 K. Finally, the temperature change trend of the mold surface under different heating voltages is accurately restored. The MMTL system can provide accurate temperature distribution data and hotspot location identification for scenarios such as optimizing thermal management design and real-time risk monitoring, and it has application potential in industrial manufacturing and for electronic products.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MicromachinesPub Date : 2025-05-17DOI: 10.3390/mi16050588
Hussain Alsadiq, Zahra Alhay
{"title":"Mechanical Properties of Medical Microbubbles and Echogenic Liposomes-A Review.","authors":"Hussain Alsadiq, Zahra Alhay","doi":"10.3390/mi16050588","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050588","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lipid-shelled microbubbles (MBs) and echogenic liposomes (ELIPs) have been proposed as acoustofluidic theranostic agents after having been proven to be efficient in diagnostics as ultrasonic contrast agents. Their mechanical properties-such as shell stiffness, friction, and resonance frequency-are critical to their performance, stability, oscillatory dynamics, and response to sonication. A precise characterization of these properties is essential for optimizing their biomedical applications, however the current methods vary significantly in their sensitivity and accuracy. This review examines the experimental and theoretical methodologies used to quantify the mechanical properties of MBs and ELIPs, discusses how each approach estimates shell stiffness and friction, and outlines the strengths and limitations inherent to each technique. Additionally, the effects of parameters such as temperature and lipid composition on MB and ELIP mechanical behavior are examined. Four characterization methods are analyzed, including frequency-dependent attenuation, optical observation, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and laser scattering, their advantages and limitations are critically assessed. Additionally, the factors that influence the mechanical properties of the MBs and ELIPs, such as temperature and lipid composition, are examined. Frequency-dependent attenuation was shown to provide reliable shell elasticity estimates but is influenced by nonlinear oscillations, AFM confirms that microbubble stiffness is size-dependent with smaller bubbles exhibiting higher shell stiffness, and theoretical models such as modified Rayleigh-Plesset equations increasingly incorporate viscoelastic shell properties to improve prediction accuracy. However, many of these models still assume radial symmetry and neglect inter-bubble interactions, which can lead to inaccurate elasticity values when applied to dense suspensions. In such cases, using modified frameworks like the Sarkar model, which incorporates damping and surface tension explicitly, may provide more reliable estimates under nonlinear conditions. Additionally, lipid composition and temperature significantly affect shell mechanics, with higher temperatures generally reducing stiffness. On the other hand, inconsistencies in experimental protocols hinder direct comparison across studies, highlighting the need for standardized characterization methods and improved computational modeling.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MicromachinesPub Date : 2025-05-17DOI: 10.3390/mi16050587
Ruixuan Yang, Yiming Dang, Jinhao Chen, Dan Li, Francesco Svelto
{"title":"CMOS Low-Power Optical Transceiver for Short Reach.","authors":"Ruixuan Yang, Yiming Dang, Jinhao Chen, Dan Li, Francesco Svelto","doi":"10.3390/mi16050587","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050587","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of the AI era driven by Large Language Models (LLMs) and the next-generation high-definition multimedia interface for immersive technologies (AR/VR/metaverse) have created an unprecedented demand for high-bandwidth interconnects. While optical communication systems provide a broad bandwidth, their relatively low power efficiency continues to limit their deployment in new applications. This work addresses the power efficiency challenges in CMOS optical transceiver design, leveraging the inherent cost and integration advantages of CMOS technology. After outlining the design principles for low-power optical transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) design, we present a comprehensive design of a low-power optical transceiver chipset implemented in 28 nm CMOS. The Tx features a high-impedance asymmetric current-steering output stage with a stacked architecture that facilitates unipolar power supply operation for the efficient anode driving of a common-cathode VCSEL array and achieved a power efficiency of 1.59 pJ/bit. The Rx incorporates a tail-current-controlled Cherry-Hooper-based variable gain amplifier (VGA), which achieved a transimpedance gain that ranged from 68.4 to 78.5 dBΩ and a power efficiency of 1.06 pJ/bit. The Rx-Tx back-to-back measurements confirmed successful data transmission at 4 × 20 Gbps, which demonstrated an overall power efficiency of 2.65 pJ/bit.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Experimental and Numerical Study of Slug-Flow Velocity Inside Microchannels Through In Situ Optical Monitoring.","authors":"Samuele Moscato, Emanuela Cutuli, Massimo Camarda, Maide Bucolo","doi":"10.3390/mi16050586","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Miniaturization and reliable, real-time, non-invasive monitoring are essential for investigating microfluidic processes in Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) systems. Progress in this field is driven by three complementary approaches: analytical modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and experimental validation techniques. In this study, we present an on-chip experimental method for estimating the slug-flow velocity in microchannels through in situ optical monitoring. Slug flow involving two immiscible fluids was investigated under both liquid-liquid and gas-liquid conditions via an extensive experimental campaign. The measured velocities were used to determine the slug length and key dimensionless parameters, including the Reynolds number and Capillary number. A comparison with analytical models and CFD simulations revealed significant discrepancies, particularly in gas-liquid flows. These differences are mainly attributed to factors such as gas compressibility, pressure fluctuations, the presence of a liquid film, and leakage flows, all of which substantially affect flow dynamics. Notably, the percentage error in liquid-liquid flows was lower than that in gas-liquid flows, largely due to the incompressibility assumption inherent in the model. The high-frequency monitoring capability of the proposed method enables in situ mapping of evolving multiphase structures, offering valuable insights into slug-flow dynamics and transient phenomena that are often difficult to capture using conventional measurement techniques.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MicromachinesPub Date : 2025-05-16DOI: 10.3390/mi16050584
Xinfeng Zhao, Shunchang Hu, Peiyan Sun, Wuyi Ming
{"title":"Precision Molding Simulation Study of 3D Ultra-Thin Glass Components for Smartwatches.","authors":"Xinfeng Zhao, Shunchang Hu, Peiyan Sun, Wuyi Ming","doi":"10.3390/mi16050584","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050584","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High stress and shape deviation during the glass forming process often led to low yield rates, posing a challenge in the production of high-precision smartwatch components. To address this issue, a numerical model was developed to simulate and analyze the forming behavior of 3D curved glass. The study focused on achieving a balance between energy consumption and key quality attributes, such as residual stress and shape accuracy. Results showed that forming pressure primarily affects shape deviation, while forming temperature plays a dominant role in energy usage and residual stress. Through orthogonal experiments, optimal parameters were identified: a forming temperature of 630 °C, pressure of 0.25 MPa, and cooling rate of 0.25 °C/s effectively minimize residual stress. Meanwhile, shape deviation is minimized at 630 °C, 0.30 MPa, and a cooling rate of 0.75 °C/s. Energy efficiency analysis indicated that low efficiency occurs at 610 °C with a 3 °C/s heating rate. Furthermore, NSGA-II multi-objective optimization validated the model's accuracy, with prediction errors under 20%, offering valuable guidance for the precise fabrication of smartwatch glass.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A <i>TM</i><sub>01</sub>-<i>TE</i><sub>11</sub> Circular Waveguide Mode Converter on the Basis of Dielectric Filling.","authors":"Zibin Weng, Ziming Lv, Liupeng Zan, Sihan Xiao, Chen Liang","doi":"10.3390/mi16050585","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this paper, a dielectric-filled circular waveguide TM01<i>-</i>TE11 mode converter is proposed, which has high conversion efficiency and a wide operating bandwidth. Filling the circular waveguide with dielectric material changes the local propagation characteristics, thus achieving a phase difference between the TE11 modes in the two halves of the circular waveguide during propagation. This, in turn, facilitates the completion of mode conversion with high efficiency. Compared with the conventional radial dielectric plate, this paper improves the method of filling the dielectric inside the circular waveguide by transforming it into a coaxial structure. This is followed by the incorporation of a radial dielectric plate, a modification that has been proven to enhance the conversion efficiency and extend the operational bandwidth. The mode converter operates at 9.7 GHz, and when the dielectric filler material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), both simulation and practical studies are carried out. The simulation results demonstrate that the maximum conversion efficiency of this mode converter is 99.2%, and the bandwidth with conversion efficiency greater than 90% is nearly 21.1%. The maximum conversion efficiency in the actual test is essentially consistent with the simulation results. The validity of the design scheme of this converter and the accuracy of the simulation study are demonstrated.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development and Evaluation of Multi-Module Retinal Devices for Artificial Vision Applications.","authors":"Kuang-Chih Tso, Yoshinori Sunaga, Yuki Nakanishi, Yasuo Terasawa, Makito Haruta, Kiyotaka Sasagawa, Jun Ohta","doi":"10.3390/mi16050580","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050580","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Artificial retinal devices require a high-density electrode array and mechanical flexibility to effectively stimulate retinal cells. However, designing such devices presents significant challenges, including the need to conform to the curvature of the eyeball and cover a large area using a single platform. To address these issues, we developed a parylene-based multi-module retinal device (MMRD) integrating a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) system. The proposed device is designed for suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation, with each module comprising a parylene-C thin-film substrate, a CMOS chip, and a ceramic substrate housing seven platinum electrodes. The smart CMOS system significantly reduces wiring complexity, enhancing the device's practicality. To improve fabrication reliability, we optimized the encapsulation process, introduced multiple silane coupling modifications, and utilized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for easier detachment in flip-chip bonding. This study demonstrates the fabrication and evaluation of the MMRD through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The device successfully generated the expected current stimulation waveforms in both settings, highlighting its potential as a promising candidate for future artificial vision applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159970","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MicromachinesPub Date : 2025-05-15DOI: 10.3390/mi16050581
Zhuo Gao, Pan Wang, Chang Chen, Jian Duan, Shilun Feng, Bo Liu
{"title":"A Novel Pathogen Detection System Combining a Nucleic Acid Extraction Biochip with a Perovskite Photodetector.","authors":"Zhuo Gao, Pan Wang, Chang Chen, Jian Duan, Shilun Feng, Bo Liu","doi":"10.3390/mi16050581","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16050581","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increasing spread of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms underscores the urgent need for highly sensitive, portable, and rapid nucleic acid detection technologies to facilitate early diagnosis and effective prevention. In this study, we developed a fluorescence-based nucleic acid detection platform that integrates a microfluidic chip with an all-inorganic perovskite photodetector. The system enables integrated operation of nucleic acid extraction, purification, and amplification on a microfluidic chip, combined with real-time electrical signal readout via a CsPbBr<sub>3</sub> perovskite photodetector. Experimental results indicate that the photodetector exhibits high responsivity at 530 nm, aligning well with the primary emission peak of FAM. The system demonstrates a strong linear correlation between photocurrent and FAM concentration over the range of 0.01-0.4 μM (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.928), with a low detection limit of 0.01 μM and excellent reproducibility across multiple measurements. Validation using FAM standard solutions and Escherichia coli samples confirmed the system's reliable linearity and signal stability. This platform demonstrates strong potential for rapid pathogen screening and point-of-care diagnostic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18508,"journal":{"name":"Micromachines","volume":"16 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}