Light-Driven and Magnetically Driven Photopolymer Microswimmers: Fabrication, Actuation, Tracking and Fluid Interaction

Photopolymer microswimmers are manufactured objects whose locomotion depends simultaneously on three-dimensional geometry, actuation physics and low-Reynolds-number fluid interaction. This review addresses light-driven and magnetically driven swimmers with emphasis on fabrication fidelity, magnetic or photoresponsive state, trajectory measurement, wall effects and propulsion repeatability. Two-photon polymerisation is a key route for complex swimmer geometries, and magnetic composite swimmers have been fabricated directly by this method. Light-powered microrobot literature shows that illumination can function as both fabrication tool and actuator, while recent magnetic-swimmer reviews emphasise field control and application constraints. Qualification is framed around geometry-to-actuation coupling: pitch, radius, flexibility or asymmetry must be measured, the applied field or light stimulus must be quantified, and speed/orientation must be interpreted with viscosity, confinement and distance from boundaries declared. Population- level variability is treated as a manufacturing outcome rather than experimental noise.

ER-337 · Version 0.4.