Programmable spatial magnetization stereolithographic printing of biomimetic soft machines with thin-walled structures

           The paper of the Day presents a uniform magnetic field-assisted stereolithography (UMA-SL) method for fabricating 3D thin-walled biomimetic soft machines with programmable magnetization. The technique uses Halbach arrays and an electromagnetic solenoid to generate a high-intensity uniform magnetic field that precisely orients pre-magnetized magnetic particles, followed by digital light processing to solidify the material in desired patterns. This allows the creation of complex 3D geometries with controlled magnetization distributions. The paper discusses strategies for support placement and material composition optimization to enhance printing stability and success rates. The fabricated soft machines demonstrate diverse functionalities such as peristaltic propulsion, unidirectional fluid transport, periodic pumping, and targeted cargo transport and delivery, highlighting the capabilities of this printing method.