0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Policy & Risk Remediation Sign in to save

Micro/Nanorobotics in Environmental Water Governance: Nanoengineering Strategies for Pollution Control

Small Structures 2025 9 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 53 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Y. Gan, Y. Gan, Bin Wang, Yuan Lu

Summary

This review examines advances in micro- and nanorobotics for environmental water treatment, including their use in degrading microplastics, organic pollutants, and harmful microorganisms. Researchers highlight the potential of photocatalytic, magnetic, and self-propelled robotic systems to provide more precise and sustainable alternatives to traditional water treatment methods. The study also acknowledges challenges in scalability and cost-effectiveness that need to be addressed before widespread adoption.

The significance of micro/nanorobotics in environmental water governance is underscored by the escalating challenge of water pollution, demanding innovative solutions for efficient and selective pollutant removal. These tiny yet powerful devices, with their ability to detect, capture, and degrade pollutants, signify a groundbreaking shift from traditional treatment methods to more precise, efficient, and sustainable approaches. This review delineates the advancements in micro/nanorobotics, emphasizing their diverse propulsion mechanisms and functionalities tailored for specific environmental tasks, including the degradation of microplastics, organic pollutants, and the inactivation of harmful microorganisms. With a focus on the integration of photocatalytic, magnetic, and self‐propelled capabilities, the text highlights the potential of these robots to revolutionize water treatment processes. Furthermore, it acknowledges the challenges faced in scalability, cost‐effectiveness, and environmental compatibility, urging future research toward developing more adaptable, eco‐friendly, and efficient robotic systems. This review not only elucidates the current advancements in micro/nanorobotics but also charts a future course where intelligent, dynamically controlled robotic systems become central to sustainable water management, offering crucial insights and guiding the next wave of innovations in the field.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Nano revolution: pioneering the future of water reclamation with micro-/nano-robots

This review covers the development and application of tiny self-propelled robots at the micro and nano scale for cleaning contaminated water. Researchers found that these robots can actively seek out and interact with pollutants including heavy metals, dyes, microplastics, oils, and harmful microorganisms. The study suggests that micro- and nano-robots represent a promising emerging technology for water monitoring and environmental cleanup.

Article Tier 2

Recent Advancements in Multimodal Chemically Powered Micro/Nanorobots for Environmental Sensing and Remediation

This review covers recent developments in chemically powered micro- and nanorobots designed for environmental sensing and pollution cleanup. Researchers describe how these tiny self-propelling machines can detect and capture pollutants including microplastics, heavy metals, and organic contaminants in water. The study highlights the potential of nanorobot technology as an emerging tool for environmental remediation, though challenges in scalability and real-world deployment remain.

Article Tier 2

Are micro/nanorobots an effective solution to eliminate micro/nanoplastics in water/wastewater treatment plants?

Researchers reviewed micro/nanorobots as an emerging strategy for removing microplastics from water, finding that while these tiny magnetically or optically driven devices can capture particles through electrostatic interactions, their high cost, fuel dependence, low plastic degradation efficiency, and risk of secondary pollution currently limit practical deployment.

Article Tier 2

Smart micro- and nanorobots for water purification

This review explores the use of tiny self-propelled micro- and nanorobots as a new approach to water purification. These programmable synthetic robots can actively seek out and interact with pollutants including microplastics, heavy metals, and organic contaminants, overcoming the limitations of passive treatment methods. The technology represents a promising frontier for more targeted and efficient water remediation.

Article Tier 2

Micro/nanorobots for efficient removal and degradation of micro/nanoplastics

This paper reviews how tiny self-propelled robots at the micro and nanoscale could be used to capture and remove microplastics from water. These robots can be designed to target specific types of plastic particles and move through water on their own, offering advantages over traditional filtration methods. While still in early development, this technology could eventually provide a practical way to reduce microplastic contamination in drinking water and aquatic environments.

Share this paper