Micro‐/Nanomotors toward Biomedical Applications: The Recent Progress in Biocompatibility

Abstract

Inspired by the highly versatile natural motors, artificial micro‐/nanomotors that can convert surrounding energies into mechanical motion and accomplish multiple tasks are devised. In the past few years, micro‐/nanomotors have demonstrated significant potential in biomedicine. However, the practical biomedical applications of these small‐scale devices are still at an infant stage. For successful bench‐to‐bed translation, biocompatibility of micro‐/nanomotor systems is the central issue to be considered. Herein, the recent progress in micro‐/nanomotors in biocompatibility is reviewed, with a special focus on their biomedical applications. Through close collaboration between researches in the nanoengineering, material chemistry, and biomedical fields, it is expected that a promising real‐world application platform based on micro‐/nanomotors will emerge in the near future.

Nanomotor-based adsorbent for blood Lead(II) removal in vitro and in pig models

“…Nanomotors can convert different types of energy to propel them in different fluids [ [34] , [35] , [36] ]. Therefore, the nanomotor technology was introduced into Pb(II) removal process.…”

Enzyme catalysis powered micro/nanomotors for biomedical applications

“…28 Besides, Soto et al discussed the use of micro/ nanomotors for medical applications and emphasized the current and foreseeable perspectives of their commercialization. 29 Moreover, the importance of biocompatibility of motors for biomedical applications has also been discussed by Peng et al 30 As a promising catalyst candidate, using enzyme to power micro-and nanoswimmers has been discussed by Sanchez et al 31 and Sen et al 15 An overview of most recent advances of micro/nanomotors has been discussed by Städler et al 32 However, of all the reviews, using enzyme motors for biomedical applications has not been discussed. The importance of biofuels and the accessibility of biofuels for in vivo powering motors are also essential for the future perspectives of enzyme powered motors.…”

Swimming nanorobots for opening a cell membrane mechanically

“…The swimming nanorobots fabricated by noble metals or synthesized polymers usually result in bad biodegradability. By introducing “bottom‐up” chemical self‐assembly, recent research illustrated that it is versatile to build up multifunctional swimming nanorobots with good biodegradability and biocompatibility 22–25 . For the clinical application, before reaching the defined sites of the body, the swimming nanorobots were also experienced with the problem of the biofouling and accompanying immune elimination 26–28 .…”