Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mario Urso, Martina Ussia, Martin Pumera
Summary: A novel method utilizing self-propelled light-powered magnetic field-navigable microbots for actively moving, capturing, and degrading polymers is proposed in a recent study. These microbots exhibit fuel-free motion capability, and the motion can be controlled by light and directionality by a magnetic field. The efficient degradation of polymers is demonstrated, showing promising potential for degrading polymers and plastics effectively using light.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cagatay M. Oral, Martin Pumera
Summary: Untethered robots in micro/nano scale have the ability to access hard-to-reach areas of the body. Recent research has focused on the autonomous task completion capabilities of these robots in challenging environments. However, most studies have only been conducted in vitro, and their results may significantly differ in vivo. This article examines studies conducted with animal models to demonstrate the current state of micro/nanorobotic applications in real-world conditions. Categorized by target locations, the main strategies employed in organs and other body parts are highlighted, along with key challenges that need to be addressed for successful translation to clinical use.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lukas Dekanovsky, Hai Huang, Sana Akir, Yulong Ying, Zdenek Sofer, Bahareh Khezri
Summary: Light-driven magnetic MXene-based microrobots (MXeBOTs) have been developed for efficient removal and degradation of bisphenol A (BPA). The MXeBOTs utilize embedded Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) for magnetic propulsion and grafted bismuth NPs as cocatalysts. The stability and reusability of MXeBOTs are studied in relation to BPA concentration and chemical composition of the swimming environment.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangyu Zhang, Zhengxing Li, Chuanrui Chen, Hao Luan, Ronnie H. Fang, Liangfang Zhang, Joseph Wang
Summary: This review focuses on the integration of microorganisms and artificial components to create biohybrid microrobots, with a specific emphasis on microalgae-based systems. The distinct propulsion and phototaxis behaviors of microalgae, as well as methods for functionalizing their surface, are discussed. Various applications of these biohybrid microrobots in biomedical and environmental fields are presented, highlighting their advantages and challenges.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mario Urso, Christian Iffelsberger, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Martin Pumera
Summary: This study introduces a new concept of self-propelled microscale energy storage elements and demonstrates their pseudocapacitive nature through scanning electrochemical microscopy. The technology shows great potential for autonomously delivering energy storage units to electronic circuits.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Zameer Hussain Shah, Max Sokolich, Sudipta Mallick, David Rivas, Sambeeta Das
Summary: Mobile microrobots have the potential to revolutionize medical treatments by transporting cells in cell-based therapies. This study presents a simple method to fabricate three-lobed microrobots that are actuated by a harmless magnetic field and made of organosilica. The microrobots showed excellent control in both open-loop and closed-loop settings, making them promising for cell transportation in fluids.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xia Peng, Mario Urso, Martina Kolackova, Dalibor Huska, Martin Pumera
Summary: This study investigates the use of magnetic biohybrid microrobots for the dynamic removal of micro/nanoplastics from aquatic environments. The microrobots, modified with Fe3O4 nanoparticles, show efficient capture and removal of micro/nanoplastics through magnetic actuation and electrostatic interactions. The microrobots also prove to be reusable and have hormesis stimulation effects on algae growth. This eco-friendly and low-cost strategy offers a promising solution for addressing micro/nanoplastics pollution.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cagatay M. Oral, Martina Ussia, Derya Kapusuz Yavuz, Martin Pumera
Summary: The study investigates the influence of surface properties and crystallite size on the propulsion mechanism of Pt/TiO2 chemical/light-driven hybrid microrobots, revealing that urchin-like microrobots exhibit on-the-fly optical brake behavior under UV irradiation, while smooth microrobots demonstrate accelerated motion under the same conditions. The results highlight the importance of high surface area and crystallite size in increasing the speed of microrobots.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jaroslav Zelenka, Karel Klima, Paula Mayorga-Burrezo, Lan Hoang, Tomas Ruml, Martin Pumera
Summary: Efficient eradication of dental biofilm on titanium dental implants can be achieved using swarming magnetic microrobots, demonstrating their potential in precision medicine.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Su-Jin Song, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jan Vyskocil, Marketa Castoralova, Tomas Ruml, Martin Pumera
Summary: Magnetotactic bacteria can be precisely controlled by applying a magnetic field, allowing them to remove organic phosphate pesticides from aqueous solutions by binding with organic matter. These bacteria exhibit swarm behavior and can move in a circular direction under a programmed magnetic field. This technology shows potential for pollution removal and retrieval in various environments through directional magnetic actuation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Seyyed Mohsen Beladi-Mousavi, Sona Hermanova, Yulong Ying, Jan Plutnar, Martin Pumera
Summary: A proof-of-concept study introduces an active photocatalytic degradation procedure using intelligent visible-light-driven microrobots capable of capturing and degrading microplastics on-the-fly. These robots have built-in photocatalytic and magnetic materials for self-propelled motion under sunlight and precise actuation under a magnetic field. The photocatalytic robots generate a local self-stirring effect at the nanoscale, enhancing interaction with microplastics without the need for exterior mechanical stirrers typically used in conventional systems.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mario Urso, Martin Pumera
Summary: The growing use of plastic materials has resulted in the accumulation of waste in marine environments, causing hazardous micro- and nanoplastics. These plastic particles absorb toxic pollutants, support bacterial growth, and spread through the food chain, posing serious risks to human health. Therefore, addressing nano/microplastics pollution is crucial, and self-propelled nano/microrobots have shown promise in their efficient removal. This review critically examines advanced strategies for nano/microplastics capture and degradation by autonomous nano/microrobots, as well as the challenges and future prospects of this research field.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Michaela Fojtu, Jan Vyskocil, Nam-Joon Cho, Martin Pumera
Summary: This article describes the preparation of magnetic biological robots (BioBots) using defatted sunflower pollen microparticles by depositing a ferromagnetic metal layer on one side of the particles. The magnetic properties introduced to the pollen microparticles enable their magnetic actuation, allowing them to attract and transport cancer cells. Additionally, these magnetic BioBots can be used for drug delivery to kill cancer cells. With the ability for mass production and natural programmability, sunflower-based BioBots show promise for cancer cell therapy.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Varun Sridhar, Filip Podjaski, Yunus Alapan, Julia Kroeger, Lars Grunenberg, Vimal Kishore, Bettina Lotsch, Metin Sitti
Summary: In this study, we propose two-dimensional poly(heptazine imide) (PHI) carbon nitride microparticles as light-driven microswimmers. These microswimmers demonstrate high-speed movement in high ionic concentrations and biological media and exhibit controlled drug release capabilities.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fatemeh Rajabasadi, Lukas Schwarz, Mariana Medina-Sancehz, Oliver G. Schmidt
Summary: Additive manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and two-photon polymerization have advanced micro/nano-fabrication, offering high resolution and reproducibility. Particularly in the field of medical microrobotics, the use of smart materials and complex structures presents new opportunities for innovation and research.
PROGRESS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mario Palacios-Corella, Daniel Rojas, Martin Pumera
Summary: Semiconductor-based autonomous self-propelled micromachines are at the forefront of research on environmental pollutant degradation, aiming to alleviate the contamination effects caused by the constant production of new products. However, testing these micromotors with real-life products is largely unexplored, limiting the degradation of pollutants to laboratory-scale single-component aqueous solutions or suspensions, hindering the translation of these micromachines into practical systems.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen C. C. Mayorga-Martinez, Marketa Castoralova, Jaroslav Zelenka, Tomas Ruml, Martin Pumera
Summary: In this study, a method based on magnetic microrobots was developed for rapid isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in milk. The method does not produce harmful compounds for the milk microbiota and can be efficiently applied in food production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martina Ussia, Mario Urso, Monika Kratochvilova, Jiri Navratil, Jan Balvan, Carmen C. C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jan Vyskocil, Michal Masarik, Martin Pumera
Summary: This study reports a new biodegradable magnetically actuated zinc/cystine-based microrobots for in situ treatment of prostate cancer cells. The microrobots are fabricated through metal-ion-mediated self-assembly of cystine encapsulating superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles, allowing precise manipulation by a rotating magnetic field. Inside the cells, the enzymatic reducing environment promotes the disassembly of the cystine structure and disrupts non-covalent interactions with metal ions, enabling site-specific delivery of zinc ions for tumor cell killing via a Trojan horse effect.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jayraj V. Vaghasiya, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jan Vyskocil, Martin Pumera
Summary: The authors developed a black phosphorous-based tactile sensor array system that provides touch sensing and audio feedback. This assistive technology is utilized by visually or speech-disabled individuals to communicate using audio as a platform. The piezoresistive tactile sensor based on a black phosphorous and polyaniline composite showed excellent sensitivity, low-pressure sensitivity, reasonable response time, and good cycle stability. A prototype device using six of these tactile sensors was able to convert pressed text into audio to assist visually or speech-disabled persons.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Maria-Hormigos, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Tomas Kincl, Martin Pumera
Summary: The brewing industry is projected to generate a revenue exceeding 500 billion euros in 2022, with an expected annual growth. This study demonstrates the use of magneto/catalytic nanostructured BioBots, encapsulating yeast cells, for enhanced beer fermentation. The encapsulated yeast cells retain their biological activity and the catalytic fermentation process produces oscillatory motion of the BioBots, improving the fermentation compared to static yeast cells. Magnetic actuation is then utilized to retrieve the BioBots from the beer samples, eliminating the need for additional filtration steps.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jaroslav Zelenka, Karel Klima, Michaela Kubanova, Tomas Ruml, Martin Pumera
Summary: Modern micro/nanorobots have versatile capabilities for biomedical and environmental tasks. Magnetic microrobots are particularly promising for biomedical applications, as they can be fully controlled by a rotating magnetic field without the use of toxic fuels. These microrobots can also form swarms to perform tasks at a larger scale.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Akshay Kumar K. Padinjareveetil, Juan V. Perales-Rondon, Martin Pumera
Summary: Broadening the application of 3D printing technology is considered a potential strategy to address the energy crisis and environmental imbalances. This perspective article discusses the potential of engineering 3D printed electrocatalysts for ammonia production and provides experimental demonstrations to substantiate their potential.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xia Peng, Mario Urso, Martin Pumera
Summary: Mass transfer plays a crucial role in heterogeneous reactions. Micro/nanomachines, as a promising technology for environmental applications, can greatly improve the performance of purification treatments due to their active motion ability and enhanced diffusion. In this study, we developed Pt-free single-component light-powered WO3 micromotors with enhanced diffusion and effective degradation capability for nitroaromatic contaminants in water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Keval K. Sonigara, Jayra V. Vaghasiya, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Martin Pumera
Summary: The development of self-powered biosensor technologies requires flexible and robust energy storage devices. In this study, a hybrid self-powered biosensor system using a zinc-ion supercapacitor (ZISC) wearable patch was developed. The patch integrated a two-dimensional NiPS3 electrode, which showed good electrochemical performance. The ZISC demonstrated stable energy storage performance and mechanical flexibility, making it suitable for powering health monitoring devices.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Katarina A. Novcic, Christian Iffelsberger, Mario Palacios-Corella, Martin Pumera
Summary: MXenes are a fast-growing family of two-dimensional materials that have excellent catalytic properties and wide-ranging applications. When working with powder-based materials such as Ti3C2Tx MXenes, a common method is to disperse the catalytic materials in various solvents and then drop-cast the suspensions onto desired surfaces. However, the choice of solvent for preparing the powder dispersions can significantly impact the electrochemical performance of the drop-cast samples.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Jancik-Prochazkova, Martin Pumera
Summary: Microrobots, made from phoretic Sb2S3 material, demonstrated swarming behavior under light illumination without the need for chemical fuel. These environmentally friendly microrobots were prepared by reacting precursors with bio-originated templates in an aqueous solution in a microwave reactor. The photocatalytic abilities of the microrobots were showcased by degrading industrially used dyes, quinoline yellow and tartrazine, in the on-the-fly mode. This proof-of-concept work highlights the suitability of Sb2S3 photoactive material for designing swarming microrobots for environmental remediation applications.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Stefan Wert, Christian Iffelsberger, Akshay Kumar K. Padinjareveetil, Martin Pumera
Summary: Transition metal trichalcogenphosphites (MPX3), a type of 2D material, show potential as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Through studying the local electrochemical and electrocatalytic activity of FePSe3, we found that electrochemical processes and the HER occur at an increased rate at edge-like defects of FePSe3 crystals. These findings have important implications for the application of these materials in electrochemistry and for understanding the electrochemical performance of layered compounds.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jyoti, Jose Munoz, Martin Pumera
Summary: Graphene quantum dot-based microrobots demonstrate potential for optical real-time monitoring of DNA, offering high sensitivity and selectivity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Radhika Nittoor Veedu, Siowwoon Ng, Michela Sanna, Martin Pumera
Summary: 3D printing technology allows for the creation of 3D electrodes, however, printed devices lack certain properties. To improve the photoelectrochemical properties of these electrodes, functionalized 2D germananes can be beneficial and the enhancement of photoelectrocatalytic performance extending with applications beyond water splitting.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
