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Micromotors, which can be moved at a micron scale, have special functions and can perform microscopic tasks. They have a wide range of applications in various fields with the advantages of small size and high efficiency. Both high speed and efficiency for micromotors are required in various conditions. However, the dynamical mechanism of bubble-driven micromotors movement is not clear, owing to various factors affecting the movement of micromotors. This paper reviews various factors acting on micromotor movement, and summarizes appropriate methods to improve the velocity and efficiency of bubble-driven micromotors, from a mechanical view. The dynamical factors that have significant influence on the hydrodynamic performance of micromotors could be divided into two categories: environment and geometry. Improving environment temperature and decreasing viscosity of fluid accelerate the velocity of motors. Under certain conditions, raising the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is applied. However, a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is not applicable. In the environment of low concentration, changing the geometry of micromotors is an effective mean to improve the velocity of micromotors. Increasing semi-cone angle and reducing the ratio of length to radius for tubular and rod micromotors are propitious to increase the speed of micromotors. For Janus micromotors, reducing the mass by changing the shape into capsule and shell, and increasing the surface roughness, is applied. This review could provide references for improving the velocity and efficiency of micromotors.

In this study, a new method for swirling flow generation in submerged entry nozzle (SEN) in continuous casting of steel process has been proposed. A rotating electromagnetic field is set up around the SEN to induce swirling flow in it by the Lorentz force. And this kind of electromagnetic swirling flow in the SEN is proposed to use in square billet continuous casting of steel process. The effects of coil current intensity and nozzle structure on the flow and temperature fields in the SEN and mold are numerically simulated and verified by an electromagnetic swirling model experiment of low melting point alloy. The overall results of the study show that the magnetic flux density and the swirling flow velocity in the SEN increase with the increase of coil current intensity. The largest swirling flow velocity in the SEN can reach about 3 m/s when coil current intensity 500 A, frequency 50 Hz. The electromagnetic swirling flow in the SEN can reduce the impinging depth of the flow and increase the upward flow. An impinging flow near the mold corner can be observed. The flow field changes mentioned above result in a uniform temperature field in the mold, increase the meniscus temperature, effectively increase the temperature at the mold corner. The divergent nozzle used in this new process also reduces the impinging depth, increases the upward flow and makes the meniscus temperature increase significantly.

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