This paper reports the wireless Shape-Memory-Polymer actuator operated by external radio frequency magnetic fields and its application in a drug delivery device. The actuator is driven by a frequency-sensitive wireless resonant heater which is bonded directly to the Shape-Memory-Polymer and is activated only when the field frequency is tuned to the resonant frequency of heater. The heater is fabricated using a double-sided Cu-clad Polyimide with much simpler fabrication steps compared to previously reported methods. The actuation range of 140 μm as the tip opening distance is achieved at device temperature 44 °C in 30 s using 0.05 W RF power. A repeatability test shows that the actuator's average maximum displacement is 110 μm and standard deviation of 12 μm. An experiment is conducted to demonstrate drug release with 5 μL of an acidic solution loaded in the reservoir and the device is immersed in DI water. The actuator is successfully operated in water through wireless activation. The acidic solution is released and diffused in water with an average release rate of 0.172 μL/min.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a class of smart materials characterized by shape memory effect and pseudo-elastic behavior. They have the capability to retain their original form when subjected to certain stimuli, such as heat or a magnetic field. These unique properties have attracted many researchers to seek their application in various fields including transportation, aerospace, and biomedical. The ease process adaption from semiconductor manufacturing technology provides many opportunities for designing micro-scale devices using this material. This paper gives an overview of the fabrication and manufacturing technique of thin-film and bulk micromachined SMAs. Key features such as material properties, transformation temperature, material composition, and actuation method are also presented. The application and micromechanism for both thin-film and bulk SMA are described. Finally, the microactuator devices emphasized for biomedical applications such as microgrippers and micropumps are highlighted. The presented review will provide information for researchers who are actively working on the development of SMA-based microscale biomedical devices.

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