• core-shell capsules
• microparticles
• microrobot

The realization of sub-millimetric robotic devices, called microrobots, may allow for precisely reaching remote districts in human body. Within the framework of bioinspired microrobotics, this thesis work aims at: (i) studying a system sensitive to slightly acidic pH based on active microparticles; (ii) developing a fabrication method for the encapsulation of these particles in a permeable and hydrophilic membrane. In the first part of the work, the dissolution kinetics of calcium carbonate under different pH values was studied through mathematical modelling and dissolution tests. Movement of silicon dioxide microparticles in presence of calcium carbonate microparticles was also tracked: we observed that silicon dioxide particles are strongly repelled by calcium carbonate at neutral pH, while slightly attracted by calcium carbonate a pH=6.5. In the second part, a method for the encapsulation of these particles was developed through the realization of core-shell capsules with a liquid aqueous core and a hydrophilic membrane permeable to hydrogen ions. The process resulted in an efficient encapsulation of particles, although it was not possible to obtain structures with a completely liquid core. These results represent a first step in the development of bioinspired and pH-responsive microrobots for medical applications.