We describe fuel-free, near-infrared (NIR)-driven Janus mesoporous silica nanoparticle motors (JMSNMs) with diameters of 50, 80, and 120 nm. The Janus structure of the JMSNMs is generated by vacuum sputtering of a 10 nm Au layer on one side of the MSNMs. Upon exposure to an NIR laser, a localized photothermal effect on the Au half-shells results in the formation of thermal gradients across the JMSNMs; thus, the generated self-thermophoresis can actively drive the nanomotors to move at an ultrafast speed, for instance, up to 950 body lengths/s for 50 nm JMSNMs under an NIR laser power of 70.3 W/cm(2). The reversible "on/off" motion of the JMSNMs and their directed movement along the light gradient can be conveniently modulated by a remote NIR laser. Moreover, dynamic light scattering measurements are performed to investigate the coexisting translational and rotational motion of the JMSNMs in the presence of both self-thermophoretic forces and strong Brownian forces. These NIR-powered nanomotors demonstrate a novel strategy for overcoming the necessity of chemical fuels and exhibit a significant improvement in the maneuverability of nanomotors while providing potential cargo transportation in a biofriendly manner.

Macrophage cell membrane (MPCM)-camouflaged gold nanoshells (AuNS) that can serve as a new generation of photothermal conversion agents for in vivo photothermal cancer therapy are presented. They are constructed by the fusion of biocompatible AuNSs and MPCM vesicles. The resulting MPCM-coated AuNSs exhibited good colloidal stability and kept the original near-infrared (NIR) adsorption of AuNSs. Because AuNS carried high-density coverage of MPCMs, the totally functional portions of macrophage cells membrane were grafted onto the surface of AuNSs. This surface functionalization provided active targeting ability by recognizing tumor endothelium and thus improved tumoritropic accumulation compared to the red blood cell membrane-coating approach. These biomimetic nanoparticles significantly enhance in vivo blood circulation time and local accumulation at the tumor when administered systematically. Upon NIR laser irradiation, local heat generated by the MPCM-coated AuNS achieves high efficiency to suppress tumor growth and selectively ablate cancerous cells within the illuminated zone. Therefore, MPCM-coated AuNSs remained the natural properties of their source cells, which may improve the efficacy of photothermal therapy modulated by AuNSs and other noble-metal nanoparticles.