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Physical Intelligence Article Optoacoustically augmented magnetic guidewire for radiation-free minimally invasive therapies Wang, F., Bao, X., Yildiz, E., Yu, Y., Deán-Ben, X. L., Kang, W., Zhang, S., Sheehan, D., Soon, R. H., Zinnanti, J., Sitti, M. Science Advances, 12:eaea0201, February 2026 (Published)
Endovascular interventions are essential for treating cerebrovascular diseases, yet their monitoring methods commonly rely on ionizing radiation and contrast agents, posing unnecessary risks to patients and clinicians. We present a multifunctional optoacoustically augmented magnetic guidewire (OptoMaG) that integrates optoacoustic imaging with magnetic navigation to enable radiation-free, image-guided interventions. The ~250-micrometer flexible guidewire incorporates a 460-nanometer luminescent core with an enhanced optoacoustic signature and a FePt magnetic tip for precise, steerable control. Proof-of-concept studies show that OptoMaG can be actively navigated with external magnetic fields to traverse a 3D human-scale cerebrovascular phantom and accurately reach target brain sites. Beyond navigation, the FePt tip enables localized thermal ablation under remote radiofrequency stimulation, highlighting its theranostic potential for tumor treatment. In addition, OptoMaG functions as a light source for photodynamic therapy, selectively activating photosensitizers to destroy tumor cells while preserving healthy tissue. Collectively, OptoMaG provides a safe, radiation-free platform merging real-time navigation with targeted therapeutic capabilities.
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Physical Intelligence Article Optofluidic three-dimensional microfabrication and nanofabrication Lyu, X., Lei, W., Gardi, G., Khan, M. T. A., Bagheri, S., Zhang, M., Sitti, M. Nature, 00:1-8, January 2026 (Published) DOI URL BibTeX
Physical Intelligence Article 3D-printed low-voltage-driven ciliary hydrogel microactuators Liu, Z., Wang, C., Ren, Z., Wang, C., Wang, W., Ko, J., Song, S., Hong, C., Chen, X., Wang, H., Hu, W., Sitti, M. Nature, 649:885-893, January 2026 (Published) DOI URL BibTeX
Physical Intelligence Article Perturbing dynamics of active emulsions and their collectives Khan, M. T. A., Gardi, G., Soon, R. H., Zhang, M., Sitti, M. Matter, 9:00, January 2026 (Published)
Controlling fluidic flows in active droplets is crucial in developing intelligent models to understand and mimic single-celled microorganisms. Typically, these fluidic flows are affected by the interfacial dynamics of chemical agents. We found that these flows can be reconfigured by the mere presence of an anisotropic solid boundary embedded within active droplets. Spontaneous fluidic flows dynamically orient an embedded magnetic cluster, and the magnetic cluster, when realigned, causes these flows to reorient, thus providing control over the propulsion dynamics of chemotactic emulsions. When continuously perturbed, achiral emulsions exhibit emergent chiral motion with rotating fluidic flows. Such solid-fluid interactions occur in a number of self-propelling oil droplet systems, thereby enabling control over the emergent collective behaviors of chemically distinct active droplets.
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