The Design and Fabrication of an Entirely Soft Multi-Stable Magnetic Microarchitecture

The ability to achieve geometric reconfiguration of soft architecture is highly desirable for implantable and ingestible biomedical devices. However, triggering and sustaining multiple stable configurations in a dynamic environment without a continuous energy input remains challenging. Previous demonstrations require the persistent application of a magnetic field; or rely on the modulation of environmental factors (e.g., temperature, light) susceptible to dynamic perturbation. Here we demonstrate the design and fabrication of a soft multi-stable magnetic microarchitecture capable of rapid, on-demand, and reversible reconfiguration that is preserved even after adverse mechanical, chemical, and thermal experiences. The robust volumetric reconfiguration is enabled by an entirely soft, magnetically programmed, rationally designed inclined-beam bi-stable microarchitecture. We envision that such capability can enable new classes of soft biomedical devices with exceptional versatility and durability in dynamic environments.