Blue and red light control algae microrobot swarm deformation and release to simulated wounds

A UC San Diego team created microrobot swarms made of living algae and nanoparticles that can switch between gathering and dispersing using light color: blue light makes them assemble into specified shapes according to a mask, while red light makes them disperse. In simulated wound tests, AI analyzed the wound and laser-printed a matching mask; under blue light the robots assembled onto medical tape in the shape of the wound, and after red light irradiation, over 90% were released to the target area in under two minutes. The authors note that the system currently relies on light, is limited to surface applications, and still requires loading the nanoparticles with drugs and testing on real wounds and living tissue.