Magnetic Microrobot Swarms with Polymeric Hands Catching Bacteria and Microplastics in Water
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Date
2024-05-08
Authors
Ussia, Martina
Urso, Mario
Oral, Çaatay Mert
Peng, Xia
Pumera, Martin
0000-0002-3248-6725Advisor
Referee
Mark
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
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Abstract
The forefront of micro- and nanorobot research involves the development of smart swimming micromachines emulating the complexity of natural systems, such as the swarming and collective behaviors typically observed in animals and microorganisms, for efficient task execution. This study introduces magnetically controlled microrobots that possess polymeric sequestrant "hands" decorating a magnetic core. Under the influence of external magnetic fields, the functionalized magnetic beads dynamically self-assemble from individual microparticles into well-defined rotating planes of diverse dimensions, allowing modulation of their propulsion speed, and exhibiting a collective motion. These mobile microrobotic swarms can actively capture free-swimming bacteria and dispersed microplastics "on-the-fly", thereby cleaning aquatic environments. Unlike conventional methods, these microrobots can be collected from the complex media and can release the captured contaminants in a second vessel in a controllable manner, that is, using ultrasound, offering a sustainable solution for repeated use in decontamination processes. Additionally, the residual water is subjected to UV irradiation to eliminate any remaining bacteria, providing a comprehensive cleaning solution. In summary, this study shows a swarming microrobot design for water decontamination processes.
Description
Citation
ACS Nano (e-ISSN). 2024, vol. 18, issue 20, p. 13171-13183.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.4c02115
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.4c02115
Document type
Peer-reviewed
Document version
Published version
Date of access to the full text
Language of document
en