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Motion is influenced by many different aspects of a micromotor’s design, such as shape, roughness and the type of materials used. When designing a motor, asymmetry is the main requirement to take into account, either in shape or in catalyst distribution. It influences both speed and directionality since it dictates the location of propulsion force. Here, we combine asymmetry in shape and asymmetry in catalyst distribution to study the motion of soft micromotors. A microfluidic method is utilized to generate aqueous double emulsions, which upon UV-exposure form asymmetric microgels. Taking advantage of the flexibility of this method, we fabricated micromotors with homogeneous catalyst distribution throughout the microbead and micromotors with different degrees of catalyst localization within the active site. Spatial control over catalyst positioning is advantageous since less enzyme is needed for the same propulsion speed as the homogeneous system and it provides further confinement and compartmentalization of the catalyst. This proof-of-concept of our new design will make the use of enzymes as driving forces for motors more accessible, as well as providing a new route for compartmentalizing enzymes at interfaces without the need for catalyst-specific functionalization.

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Purpose Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is frequently used in the procedures desired to be performed on the teeth in the mandible and the surrounding tissues. The aim of this study was to reveal the position of the mandibular foramen (MF) according to the malocclusion types on panoramic radiographs (PR) of children aged 9–18 years living with malocclusion in Turkey.Methods Panoramic and cephalometric radiographs of total 330 patients between 9–18 years old were retrospectively analyzed. The skeletal malocclusion types were grouped as Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 according on lateral cephalometric radiographs. The location of MF in malocclusion types was evaluated according to age and gender.Results It was observed that the distances to the occlusal plane, posterior edge and gonion point increased with increasing age, while the distance to the anterior edge decreased. A significant difference was found according to age and gender in all malocclusion types (p < 0.05)Conclusion It was observed that the MF was positioned upward parallel to the increase in age and approached the midpoint of the mandibular ramus from the posterior. The fact that FM is positioned higher than occlusal plane in Class 3 malocclusions compared to other types and differs by gender will guide clinicians in providing effective and safe IANB in pediatric malocclusions.