DataVXAdvanced Functional MaterialsPaper
journal article·2024-12Open access

Reconfigurable Magnetic Liquid Metal Microrobots: A Regenerable Solution for the Capture and Removal of Micro/Nanoplastics

Xianghua Wu, Xia Peng, Long Ren, Jianguo Guan, Martin Pumera

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 34· Issue 51
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Source abstract

Abstract

Abstract The pervasive presence of micro/nanoplastics in the environment is a significant threat to ecosystems and human health, demanding effective remediation strategies. Traditional methods for extracting these pollutants from water are often inadequate, typically leaving environmentally harmful residues. In response, this work introduces an innovative approach using reconfigurable and regenerable liquid metal microrobots (LiquidBots) that are magnetically driven to actively sequester micro/nanoplastics from aquatic environments. These LiquidBots utilize a coating of gallium oxide for enhanced adhesion and electrostatic interaction to capture over 80% of nanoplastics present in the solution. Additionally, the LiquidBots can be easily regenerated through sonication, which dislodges captured nanoplastics, allowing the microrobots to be reused. This novel technology offers a highly efficient, adaptable, and sustainable solution to combat the micro/nanoplastic pollution crisis.
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Research context

Nanomaterials

OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology Purkynova 123 Brno 61200 Czech Republic

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing International School of Materials Science and Engineering Wuhan University of Technology 122 Luoshi Road Wuhan 430070 P. R. China

Wuhan Institute of Photochemistry and Technology 7 North Bingang Road Wuhan 430083 P. R. China

Department of Medical Research China Medical University Hospital China Medical University No. 91 Hsueh‐Shih Road Taichung TW‐40402 Taiwan

Advanced Nanorobots & Multiscale Robotics Laboratory Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science VSB ‐Technical University of Ostrava 17. listopadu 2172/15 Ostrava 70800 Czech Republic

Funding

European Commission

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