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Nano revolution: pioneering the future of water reclamation with micro-/nano-robots
Summary
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.
Earth's freshwater reserves are alarmingly limited, with less than 1% readily available. Factors such as industrialisation, population expansion, and climate change are compounding the scarcity of clean water. In this context, self-driven, programmable micro- and nano-scale synthetic robots offer a potential solution for enhancing water monitoring and remediation. With the aid of these innovative robots, diffusion-limited reactions can be overcome, allowing for active engagement with target pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, nano- and micro-plastics, oils, pathogenic microorganisms, and persistent organic pollutants. Herein, we introduced and reviewed recent influential and advanced studies on micro-/nano-robots (MNR) carried out over the past decade. Typical works are categorized by propulsion modes, analyzing their advantages and drawbacks in detail and looking at specific applications. Moreover, this review provides a concise overview of the contemporary advancements and applications of micro-/nano-robots in water-cleaning applications.