Chemical and biomolecular engineers in Maryland have developed microscopic, chemically triggered robotic “hands” (“micro-grippers”) that can pick up and move small objects, powered only by certain chemicals that trigger the hands to open or close.

They could be used in laboratory-on-a-chip applications, reconfigurable microfluidic systems, and micromanufacturing.

The grippers are about 0.03 inches wide when open, made from a gold-coated nickel “palm” joined by six pointy metallic “fingers.”