Themed collection Micro- and nano-motors
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Enzymatic micro/nanomotors in biomedicine: from single motors to swarms
Micro/nanomotor swarms propelled by diverse mechanisms.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024,12, 2711-2719
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB02457A
Bridging the gap: harnessing liquid nanomachine know-how for tackling harmful airborne particulates
Utilizing the capabilities of "nanomotors," "nanomachines," and "nanorobotics" can revolutionize air purification, transitioning from passive approaches to intelligent, active nanoscale control systems.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 17727-17738
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03808D
Active therapy based on the byproducts of micro/nanomotors
This minireview summarizes the current progress in active therapy based on the byproducts produced or generated during the motion process of micro/nanomotors.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 953-962
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR05818A
Recent advancements in Mg-based micromotors for biomedical and environmental applications
Synthetic micro/nanomotors have attracted considerable attention due to their promising potential in the field of biomedicine.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 11483-11495
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB02339G
Light-driven micro/nanomotors in biomedical applications
This review provides inspiration and promotes the clinical application of light-driven micro/nanomotors in the biomedical field.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 18550-18570
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03760F
Intelligent sensing based on active micro/nanomotors
In this review, we delved into an elaborate exposition of different detection principles reliant on micro/nanomotors (MNMs), explore the challenges encountered by MNMs under distinct detection principles, and discuss potential future solutions.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 8897-8915
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB01163A
Advancements in artificial micro/nanomotors for nucleic acid biosensing: a review of recent progress
We elucidate the advancement of micro/nanomotor-based nucleic acid biosensing over the past decade, including fluorescence recovery-based biosensing, velocity change-based biosensing, and aggregation-enhanced biosensing.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 13172-13186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02443A
Chemical tunability of advanced materials used in the fabrication of micro/nanobots
Designing chemical composites using advanced nanomaterials results in micro/nanorobots with exceptional autonomous navigation ability and bio-chemical functionality.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 5301-5320
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2TB02743G
In vivo applications of micro/nanorobots
This review discusses the current status of micro/nanorobotic applications by focusing on preclinical studies conducted with animal models.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 8491-8507
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR00502J
Electroosmotic flow spin tracers near chemical nano/micromotors
We report the first experimental observation of tracer spinning in place alongside chemically powered individual nano/micromotors.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 2847-2851
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR05910C
Magnetically locked Janus particle clusters with orientation-dependent motion in AC electric fields
Magnetically assembled Janus particles display orientation-dependent motions in AC electric fields. The regimes of motion are studied by experiments and modeling to understand and inform future microrobot design.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 16268-16276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03744D
Tri-state logic computation by activating DNA origami chains
A rod-like DNA origami circuit platform, featuring sticky ends near each semi-flexible hinge can operate two-state and tri-state logic gate by using configuration change as output signals.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 11991-11998
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR06010A
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Light-driven nanomotors with reciprocating motion and high controllability based on interference techniques
Interference of three pairs of mutually perpendicular Gaussian beams (top left image); stretching or compressing DNA with dynamic optical lattice (images on the right); slice plots of normalized potential energy at three orthogonal planes and the corresponding optical forces (bottom left image).
Nanoscale Adv., 2024,6, 1122-1126
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NA00678F
Unveiling protein corona formation around self-propelled enzyme nanomotors by nanoscopy
The interaction of self-propelled nanomotors with biological media is of outmost relevance when considering their actuation within biological contexts. Here, we explored how protein corona forms around active nanomotors using STORM.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 2904-2912
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03749E
Magnetic micromotors crossing lipid membranes
Nano/micromotors are self-propelled particles that show enhanced motion upon being triggered by a stimulus.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 2432-2443
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR05462D
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Minimal numerical ingredients describe chemical microswimmers’ 3-D motion
The underlying mechanisms of catalytic Janus microswimmers is highly complex, requiring details of associated phoretic fields and boundaries. We demonstrate that a coarse-grained dissipative particle-hydrodynamics model can describe the behaviour of several chemical microswimmers.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 2444-2451
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03695B
H2O2-stimulated Janus-shaped self-propelled nanomotors as an active treatment for acute renal injury
As emerging nanosystems, nanomotors have been applied in the active treatment of many diseases.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 1282-1290
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR04808J
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Steerable acoustically powered starfish-inspired microrobot
We introduce a soft acousto-magnetic microrobot leveraging acoustic streaming for propulsion and mixing. The manipulation strategy exploits the distinct advantages of each applied field, precise magnetic orientation, and powerful acoustic propulsion.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 1125-1134
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03516F
Ultrasound-propelled nanomotors for efficient cancer cell ferroptosis
Ultrasound-propelled Janus nanomotors exhibit rapid cellular internalization with the aid of an ultrasonic field and effectively induce cancer cell ferroptosis due to synergistic generated reactive oxygen species.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024,12, 667-677
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB02041J
A NIR-driven green affording-oxygen microrobot for targeted photodynamic therapy of tumors
The NIR-driven green affording-oxygen microrobot (CurNPs-C) consists of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles and Chlorella. Under two NIR treatments, CurNPs-C accumulates in tumors and further produces oxygen, which enhances the photodynamic therapy.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 635-644
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03801G
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An extracellular matrix-mimicking magnetic microrobot for targeted elimination of circulating cancer cells
A magnetic microrobot has been developed using natural materials derived from the extracellular matrix (ECM) to mimic the ligand–receptor interaction between cancer cells and the ECM, offering targeted elimination of circulating tumor cells.
Nanoscale, 2024,16, 624-634
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03799A
Self-propelled bioglass janus nanomotors for dentin hypersensitivity treatment
nBGs@Pt are prepared by a modified sol–gel method and magnetron sputtering using H2O2 as fuel and are shown to have enough power to enter dentin tubules, with a blocking rate of 58.05%, after remineralization the blocking rate can reach 96.07%.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 19681-19690
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03685E
Combined three dimensional locomotion and deformation of functional ferrofluidic robots
Magnetic-controlled ferrofluidic robots demonstrate exceptional precision in efficiently navigating complex 3D paths, which enhances their applicability across diverse fields, including medicine, micromanipulation, and bioengineering.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 19499-19513
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02535G
Preparation of acid-driven magnetically imprinted micromotors and selective loading of phycocyanin
Acid-driven magnetic imprinting micromotors for selective recognition and loading of phycocyanin, presenting observable acid-driven motion trajectories in acidic solutions and visualized phycocyanin loading.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 10728-10737
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB02021E
Eliminating waste with waste: transforming spent coffee grounds into microrobots for water treatment
Water pollutants such as oil spills, industrial dyes, and microplastics threaten public health and aquatic ecosystems.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 17494-17507
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03592A
pH-Responsive swimming behavior of light-powered rod-shaped micromotors
Rod-shaped light-driven micromotors exhibit multimode swimming behavior based on the pH of the medium.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 17534-17543
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03775D
Biomimetic submicromotor with NIR light triggered motion and cargo release inspired by cuttlefish
Biomimetic design is very helpful and significant for the smart construction of micro/nanomotors with artificial intelligence.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 16687-16696
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03739H
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Bubble-propelled micromotors for ammonia generation
Here, we introduce self-propelled biocatalytic micromotors for simultaneous organic pollutant removal and green energy generation. The study demonstrates remarkable results, showcasing the potential to generate ammonia from wastewater in short time.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 15785-15793
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03804A
A magnetic field-driven multi-functional “medical ship” for intestinal tissue collection in vivo
We present a multi-functional “medical ship” that can be rapidly driven by a magnetic field and can reversibly “open” and “close” its internal storage space under near-infrared laser irradiation.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 15831-15839
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR03770C
A drug co-delivery platform made of magnesium-based micromotors enhances combination therapy for hepatoma carcinoma cells
An active drug delivery platform of Mg micromotors is proposed to overcome MDR and enhance drug permeability for treating HCC.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 15573-15582
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR01548C
Fabrication of three-lobed magnetic microrobots for cell transportation
We present a bench-top colloidal approach for fabricating three-lobed magnetic microrobots. These microrobots showed promising results for single-cell transportation in a fluid.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 8926-8932
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB00613A
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Magnetic PiezoBOTs: a microrobotic approach for targeted amyloid protein dissociation
In this work, we integrated BaTiO3 nanoparticles into a multi-functional biotemplated helical microrobot that can be magnetically manipulated and has ultrasound piezocatalytic capabilities for conducting minimally invasive amyloidosis therapy.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 14800-14808
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02418K
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Combining photocatalytic collection and degradation of microplastics using self-asymmetric Pac-Man TiO2
Pac-Man TiO2 particles exhibit excellent photocatalytic properties. Degradation of highly reactive H2O2 leads to microscale propulsion, and the reactive oxygen species enable dye and polymer decomposition, even though at much slower time scales.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 14774-14781
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR01512B
Buoyant magnetic milliswimmers reveal design rules for optimizing microswimmer performance
A milliswimmer experimental platform is used to provide ground truth swimmer trajectories of different designs for developing new dynamics models.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 14175-14188
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02846A
Magnetic nanoparticle swarm with upstream motility and peritumor blood vessel crossing ability
A new drug delivery strategy: using magnetic nanoparticle swarms to cross discontinuous peritumoral vessel Walls.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 14227-14237
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02610H
Light-driven MOF-based micromotors with self-floating characteristics for water sterilization
Efficient antibacterial performances (up to 98.89% against S. aureus) are achieved with light-driven MOFtors (PPy/ZIF-8) due to the boosted Zn2+ release by vigorous stirring motion and physical entrapment by the upward motion under light irradiation.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 14165-14174
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02299D
Nanozymatic magnetic nanomotors for enhancing photothermal therapy and targeting intracellular SERS sensing
By making full use of magnetic gold nanocomposite intrinsic properties, a nanozymatic magnetic nanomotor is proposed to improve the effects of photothermal treatment and SERS sensing, realizing the integration of dual driving mechanisms and dual biomedical functions on one nanomotor.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 12944-12953
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02739B
A novel electric stimulus-responsive micro-actuator for powerful biomimetic motions
Stimulated by an electric field, the plasmonic thermal energy can be applied to drive a millimetre-sized actuator, showing promising applications.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 12933-12943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR01866K
Ultrasmall Pt NPs-modified flasklike colloidal motors with high mobility and enhanced ion tolerance
A ligand-free ultrasmall Pt NPs-modified flasklike colloidal motor exhibits ultrafast motility and enhanced ion tolerance.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 12558-12566
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR02664G
Exhaustive classification and systematic free-energy profile study of single-stranded DNA inter-overhang migration
Migration of a short single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) between DNA overhangs is a basic molecular process that is widely used in dynamic DNA nanotechnology.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 11915-11926
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR01058A
Precise control of CNT-DNA assembled nanomotor using oppositely charged dual nanopores
An assembled CNT-DNA nanomotor rotates in a dual nanopore system driven by electroosmotic flow.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 11052-11063
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR01912H
Magnetically actuated hydrogel-based capsule microrobots for intravascular targeted drug delivery
A triaxial microfluidic chip and a magnetic drive system developed in this paper greatly reduce the complexity and cost of the system. The prepared capsule microrobots have excellent potential for drug delivery in similar vascular microchannels.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2023,11, 6095-6105
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB00852E
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Photoresponsive MoS2 and WS2 microflakes as mobile biocide agents
A fuel-free strategy for the eradication of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms using WS2 and MoS2 photophoretic microflakes is described.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 9675-9683
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR00349C
Adaptive particle patterning in the presence of active synthetic nanomotors
We propose an active Au–Zn nanomotor driven by water and discovered an interesting adaptive interaction mode of diffusiophoretic Au–Zn nanomotors with passive condensate particles in different environments.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 6619-6628
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR00462G
pH/ROS-responsive propelled nanomotors for the active treatment of renal injury
H2S nanomotors show potential for the active treatment of AKI.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 6745-6758
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR00062A
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Light-powered swarming phoretic antimony chalcogenide-based microrobots with “on-the-fly” photodegradation abilities
Light-induced swarming behavior of Sb2S3 microrobots and their photocatalytic behavior.
Nanoscale, 2023,15, 5726-5734
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR00098B
About this collection
Guest Edited by Professor Martin Pumera (University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic), Professor Xing Ma (Harbin Institute of Technology, China), Professor Samuel Sánchez Ordóñez (Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Spain) and Professor Li Zhang (Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong).
As an emerging technology with a highly multidisciplinary nature, micro/nano-motors (MNMs) involve research efforts from materials science, physics, chemistry, biomedical engineering, etc., and in virtue of their small size and controllable mobility, they have demonstrated revolutionary potential in sensing, biomedicine and environmental applications among others.
This cross-journal collection in Nanoscale and Journal of Materials Chemistry B focuses on the use of micro- and nanorobots for a variety of applications. It is dedicated to the state of the art of micro- and nanomachines, with emphasis on the design and fabrication, propulsion mechanism, imaging, safety, and application of micro- and nano-motors in a variety of fields. This special collection aims to encourage research collaboration across fields to address critical challenges and promote the development of advanced MNMs towards practical and even clinical scenarios.