journal article·2025-10Open access

Remotely Programmable Multicolor‐Emitting Microswimmer with Switchable Propulsion Modes

Salah Eddine Ghellab, Mahmoud Al‐salihi, Xuemao Zhou, Lijie Lei, Daoguang Yan

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 42

Abstract

Abstract Efficient, adaptive, and precise operation in complex microenvironments requires the careful design and manufacturing of tiny machines that provide optical signaling, flexible navigation, and remote control. Here, chemical/photoactivated Au microswimmers capable of multi‐color light signaling is presented, which exhibit distinct swimming behaviors depending on fuel availability and illumination conditions. The system's functionality is further enhanced by incorporating a second engine Fe 2 O 3 , enabling fast‐switchable propulsion and remote directional control. Moreover, these microswimmers retain their optical signaling while being remotely controlled by a magnetic field and illumination. Under a rotational magnetic field, an intriguing phenomenon of orbital rotation around a motile center is observed, which occurs when fluctuations in angular displacement are suppressed. This behavior is further corroborated by Brownian dynamics simulations. The approach integrates photoemission, swimming reversal, and remote directional control into a single system, providing a strong foundation for developing orthogonal micromachines for real‐time imaging and precise targeting.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence · Advanced Materials and Mechanics

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

Affiliations

Guangzhou Institute of Cancer Research the Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Guangdong 511436 China

Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Chalmers University of Technology Gothenburg Sweden

Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

School of Physics and Information Engineering Guangxi Science & Technology Normal University Laibin 546199 China

College of Aviation Engineering Civil Aviation Flight University of China Guanghan China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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