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The system overcomes the intrinsic sinking tendency of high\u2010density NdFeB microparticles through bioinspired surface engineering. MCMS are fabricated via a solvent\u2010exchange phase inversion process, encapsulating NdFeB cores with hydrophobic polycaprolactone (PCL) and engineered surface roughness. This design emulates the hydrophobic cuticle and air\u2010trapping strategies of fire ants, conferring exceptional resistance to vertical magnetic fields (up to 0.5 T) without submersion. Unlike conventional approaches, this eliminates reliance on restrictive parallel\u2010field configurations. When subjected to programmable magnetic fields, MCM swarms exhibit dynamic self\u2010assembly, reconfiguration into complex structures, and stable navigation through wave\u2010disturbed environments while preserving swarm cohesion. Their multifunctional performance includes cargo transport at 70 times their weight, guided oil spill remediation via controlled aggregation, and precise manipulation of droplets (200 times their volume) for merging, stirring, and maze navigation\u2014all achieved at the air\u2013water interface. By synergizing fire ant\u2010inspired flotation stability with magnetic reconfigurability, this work establishes a versatile platform for surface\u2010based microrobotics, unlocking new opportunities in environmental remediation, microfluidics, and programmable matter.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.202506930","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,19]],"date-time":"2025-08-19T12:19:46Z","timestamp":1755605986000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Fire\u2010Ant\u2010Inspired Magnetic Swarms with Stable Flotation for Programmable Shape Morphing and Cooperative Multitasking"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"Yuhang","family":"Hu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry China University of Geosciences  Wuhan 430074 P. R. 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