Professor Li Zhang, Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and co-authors, have published research in Advanced Functional Materials on a polyvinyl alcohol and borax compound infused with neodymium particles that has the potential to navigate complicated environments, like the human digestive system, and perform difficult tasks in spaces less than 2mm wide. While current prototypes are not imbued with autonomous qualities, the substrate can be manipulated by external magnetic forces to capture and transport foreign objects through narrow channels.