Inspired by Richard Feynman's 1959 lecture and the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage, the field of micro/nanorobots has evolved from science fiction to reality, with significant advancements in biomedical and environmental applications. Despite the rapid progress, the deployment of functional micro/nanorobots remains limited. This review of the technology roadmap identifies key challenges hindering their widespread use, focusing on propulsion mechanisms, fundamental theoretical aspects, collective behavior, material design, and embodied intelligence. We explore the current state of micro/nanorobot technology, with an emphasis on applications in biomedicine, environmental remediation, analytical sensing, and other industrial technological aspects. Additionally, we analyze issues related to scaling up production, commercialization, and regulatory frameworks that are crucial for transitioning from research to practical applications. We also emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address both technical and nontechnical challenges, such as sustainability, ethics, and business considerations. Finally, we propose a roadmap for future research to accelerate the development of micro/nanorobots, positioning them as essential tools for addressing grand challenges and enhancing the quality of life.

• Keywords
• collective behavior, functionality, intelligence, micro/nanorobots, nanotechnology, propulsion, smart materials, technological translation,
• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Nanotechnology * methods   MeSH
• Robotics * instrumentation   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Nanoplastics are considered an emerging organic persistent pollutant with possible severe long-term implications for the environment and human health; therefore, their remediation is of paramount importance. However, detecting and determining the concentration of nanoparticles in water is challenging and time-consuming due to their small size. In this work, we present a universal yet simple method for the detection and quantification of nanoplastics to monitor their removal from water using magnetic nanorobots. Nanoplastics were stained with a hydrophobic fluorescent dye to enable the use of photoluminescence techniques for their detection and quantification. Magnetic nanorobotic tools were employed to capture and subsequently remove the nanoplastics from contaminated waters. We demonstrated that nanorobots can capture and remove more than 90% of the nanoplastics from an aqueous solution within 120 min. This work shows that easy-to-use common fluorescent dyes combined with photoluminescence spectroscopy methods can be used as an alternative method for the detection and quantification of nanoplastics in water environments and swarming magnetic nanorobots for efficient capture and removal. These methods hold great potential for future research to improve the quantification and removal of nanoplastics in water, and it will ultimately reduce their harmful impact on the environment and human health.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH