Bubble-propelled micro/nanomotors: a robust platform for the detection of environmental pollutants and biosensing

Abstract

The sensitive and rapid detection of a variety of hazardous environmental pollutants and bio analytes such as microorganisms and biomolecules is of great importance for environmental and health care monitoring....

Intelligent sensing based on active micro/nanomotors

“…The prospects for the use of self-propelled MNMs in sensing appear to be bright. Up to now, although several remarkable reviews have addressed certain aforementioned topics, including the preparation and functionalization of MNMs, [30][31][32][33] driving modes, 34,35 biocompatibility of MNMs for sensing applications, 23 their sensing strategies and detecting substances, 22,36,37 these reviews mainly focus on MNM functionalization as well as sensing applications from a certain perspective. The key challenges and limitations of MNMs for sensing applications may not have been thoroughly explored.…”

pH-Responsive swimming behavior of light-powered rod-shaped micromotors

“…Micromotors are micrometer-size artificial agents that can swim through a fluid medium. Considering their potential applications in various important areas, e.g., targeted drug delivery, 1 cargo transportation in microfluidic channels, 2 environmental monitoring, 3 dynamic self-assembly, 4 active matter, [5][6][7] etc., the design and fabrication of micromotors have received significant interest from researchers in recent years. One of the key prerequisites of the design of functional micromotors is stimuli-responsive behavior.…”

Open Questions of Chemically Powered Nano- and Micromotors

“…Among the many ways to power a nano- and micromotor, chemical reactions are a popular source of power, ,− either by producing bubbles , or more subtly by producing a chemical gradient that leads to phoresis (i.e., transport in a gradient). − A distinct advantage of chemical propulsion is the vast choices in reactions, so that motors can be made of materials and powered by fuels of a wide variety. Moreover, the chemical gradient extends from the motor surface to its neighbors, enabling population-wide communication and collective behaviors that are inaccessible to other propulsion mechanisms (Figure ).…”

“…Among the many ways to power a nano-and micromotor, chemical reactions are a popular source of power, 5,16−20 either by producing bubbles 21,22 or more subtly by producing a chemical gradient that leads to phoresis (i.e., transport in a gradient). 23−25 A distinct advantage of chemical propulsion is the vast choices in reactions, so that motors can be made of materials and powered by fuels of a wide variety.…”