微型和纳米机器人研究的前沿涉及开发模拟自然系统复杂性的智能游泳微型机器,例如通常在动物和微生物中观察到的群居和集体行为,高效的任务执行。这项研究介绍了具有聚合物螯合剂“手”装饰磁芯的磁控微型机器人。在外部磁场的影响下,功能化磁珠从单个微粒动态自组装成不同尺寸的明确定义的旋转平面,允许调节他们的推进速度,展示集体运动。这些可移动的微型机器人群可以主动捕获自由游动的细菌和分散的微塑料“即时”,从而清洁水生环境。与传统方法不同,这些微型机器人可以从复杂介质中收集,并可以以可控的方式在第二容器中释放捕获的污染物,也就是说,使用超声波,为在净化过程中重复使用提供可持续的解决方案。此外,对残留的水进行紫外线照射以消除任何残留的细菌,提供全面的清洁解决方案。总之,这项研究显示了用于水去污过程的蜂拥而至的微型机器人设计。
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.