Issue 10, 2024

Nano revolution: pioneering the future of water reclamation with micro-/nano-robots

Abstract

Earth's freshwater reserves are alarmingly limited, with less than 1% readily available. Factors such as industrialisation, population expansion, and climate change are compounding the scarcity of clean water. In this context, self-driven, programmable micro- and nano-scale synthetic robots offer a potential solution for enhancing water monitoring and remediation. With the aid of these innovative robots, diffusion-limited reactions can be overcome, allowing for active engagement with target pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, nano- and micro-plastics, oils, pathogenic microorganisms, and persistent organic pollutants. Herein, we introduced and reviewed recent influential and advanced studies on micro-/nano-robots (MNR) carried out over the past decade. Typical works are categorized by propulsion modes, analyzing their advantages and drawbacks in detail and looking at specific applications. Moreover, this review provides a concise overview of the contemporary advancements and applications of micro-/nano-robots in water-cleaning applications.

Graphical abstract: Nano revolution: pioneering the future of water reclamation with micro-/nano-robots

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
12 Dec 2023
Accepted
05 Mar 2024
First published
05 Mar 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale Adv., 2024,6, 2569-2581

Nano revolution: pioneering the future of water reclamation with micro-/nano-robots

S. Preetam, Nanoscale Adv., 2024, 6, 2569 DOI: 10.1039/D3NA01106B

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