Surgery remains the standard treatment for spinal metastasis.However,uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding poses a significant challenge for adequate surgical resection and compromises surgical outcomes.In this study,w...Surgery remains the standard treatment for spinal metastasis.However,uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding poses a significant challenge for adequate surgical resection and compromises surgical outcomes.In this study,we develop a thrombin(Thr)-loaded nanorobothydrogel hybrid superstructure by incorporating nanorobots into regenerated silk fibroin nanofibril hydrogels.This superstructure with superior thixotropic properties is injected percutaneously and dispersed into the spinal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with easy bleeding characteristics,before spinal surgery in a mouse model.Under near-infrared irradiation,the self-motile nanorobots penetrate into the deep spinal tumor,releasing Thr in a controlled manner.Thr-induced thrombosis effectively blocks the tumor vasculature and reduces bleeding,inhibiting tumor growth and postoperative recurrence with Au nanorod-mediated photothermal therapy.Our minimally invasive treatment platform provides a novel preoperative therapeutic strategy for HCC spinal metastasis effectively controlling intraoperative bleeding and tumor growth,with potentially reduced surgical complications and enhanced operative outcomes.展开更多
Untethered micro/nanorobots that can wirelessly control their motion and deformation state have gained enormous interest in remote sensing applications due to their unique motion characteristics in various media and d...Untethered micro/nanorobots that can wirelessly control their motion and deformation state have gained enormous interest in remote sensing applications due to their unique motion characteristics in various media and diverse functionalities.Researchers are developing micro/nanorobots as innovative tools to improve sensing performance and miniaturize sensing systems,enabling in situ detection of substances that traditional sensing methods struggle to achieve.Over the past decade of development,significant research progress has been made in designing sensing strategies based on micro/nanorobots,employing various coordinated control and sensing approaches.This review summarizes the latest developments on micro/nanorobots for remote sensing applications by utilizing the self-generated signals of the robots,robot behavior,microrobotic manipulation,and robot-environment interactions.Providing recent studies and relevant applications in remote sensing,we also discuss the challenges and future perspectives facing micro/nanorobots-based intelligent sensing platforms to achieve sensing in complex environments,translating lab research achievements into widespread real applications.展开更多
Micro-and nanorobotic is an emerging field of research arising from the cross-fusion of micro/nano technology and robotics and has become an important part of robotics. Micro-and nanorobots have the advantages of smal...Micro-and nanorobotic is an emerging field of research arising from the cross-fusion of micro/nano technology and robotics and has become an important part of robotics. Micro-and nanorobots have the advantages of small size, low weight, large thrust-toweight ratio, high flexibility, and high sensitivity. Due to the characteristics distinguishing from macroscopic robots, micro-and nanorobots have stimulated the research interest of the scientific community and opened up numerous application fields such as drug delivery and disease diagnosis. In the past 30 years, research on micro-and nanorobots has made considerable progress.This article provides a comprehensive overview of the development of these robots. First, the application of the robots is reviewed. Then, the key components of the robots are discussed separately, covering their actuation, design, fabrication and control. In addition, from the perspectives of intelligence and sensing, clinical applications, materials and performance, the challenges that may be encountered in the development of such robots in the future are discussed. Finally, the entire article is summarized, and concepts for future micro-and nanorobots are described.展开更多
Micro/nanorobots can propel and navigate in many hard-to-reach biological environments,and thus may bring revolutionary changes to biomedical research and applications.However,current MNRs lack the capability to colle...Micro/nanorobots can propel and navigate in many hard-to-reach biological environments,and thus may bring revolutionary changes to biomedical research and applications.However,current MNRs lack the capability to collectively perceive and report physicochemical changes in unknown microenvironments.Here we propose to develop swarming responsive photonic nanorobots that can map local physicochemical conditions on the fly and further guide localized photothermal treatment.The RPNRs consist of a photonic nanochain of periodically-assembled magnetic Fe_(3)O_(4)nanoparticles encapsulated in a responsive hydrogel shell,and show multiple integrated functions,including energetic magnetically-driven swarming motions,bright stimuli-responsive structural colors,and photothermal conversion.Thus,they can actively navigate in complex environments utilizing their controllable swarming motions,then visualize unknown targets(e.g.,tumor lesion)by collectively mapping out local abnormal physicochemical conditions(e.g.,pH,temperature,or glucose concentra-tion)via their responsive structural colors,and further guide external light irradiation to initiate localized photothermal treatment.This work facilitates the development of intelligent motile nanosensors and versatile multifunctional nanotheranostics for cancer and inflam-matory diseases.展开更多
Magnetic helical micro- and nanorobots can perform 3D navigation in various liquids with a sub- micrometer precision under low-strength rotating magnetic fields (〈 10 rer). Since magnetic fields with low strengths ...Magnetic helical micro- and nanorobots can perform 3D navigation in various liquids with a sub- micrometer precision under low-strength rotating magnetic fields (〈 10 rer). Since magnetic fields with low strengths are harmless to cells and tissues, magnetic helical micro/ nanorobots are promising tools for biomedical applications, such as minimally invasive surgery, cell manipulation and analysis, and targeted therapy. This review provides general information on magnetic helical micro/nanorobots, including their fabrication, motion control, and further functionalization for biomedical applications.展开更多
The advancement in the micro-/nanofabrication techniques has greatly facilitated the development of micromotors.A variety of micromotors have been invented with powerful functions,which have attracted a broad range of...The advancement in the micro-/nanofabrication techniques has greatly facilitated the development of micromotors.A variety of micromotors have been invented with powerful functions,which have attracted a broad range of interests from chemistry, physics,mechanics,biology and medicine.In this paper,we reviewed recent progress in micromotors and highlighted representative works.The mechanisms of micromotors by internal and external energy sources were described.We described general fabrication strategies of the popular micromotors (wire,tubular,helical and Janus)including bottom-up and top-down approaches.In the application section,we primarily focused on the biological applications,such as biological cargo delivery, biosensing and surgery.At last,we discussed the current challenges and provided future prospects.展开更多
Successful treatment of most of the diseases is limited by a lack of safe and effective methods of drug delivery. Drug delivery methods have significant effects on the pharmacological efficacy of a drug. Every drug ha...Successful treatment of most of the diseases is limited by a lack of safe and effective methods of drug delivery. Drug delivery methods have significant effects on the pharmacological efficacy of a drug. Every drug has an optimum concentration range within which maximum benefit is derived;and concentrations above or below the range can be toxic or provide no therapeutic benefits at all. Therefore, development of an efficient drug delivery system remains an important challenge in medicine, and this can be achieved only through multidisciplinary approaches to the mechanisms of delivery of drugs to targets in tissues. Thus, several drug delivery and drug targeting systems are currently being developed. Targeting is an ability to direct the drug(s) to the desired site. There are two major mechanisms, viz., active and passive for drug targeting. Controlled drug release and subsequent biodegradation are also indispensable for developing successful formulations. Colloidal drug vehicles such as micelles, vesicles, liquid crystal dispersions, and nanomaterials consisting of miniscule nanoparticles of 5 - 200 nm diameter have shown great promise as drug delivery systems. In this context, past decades have witnessed certain major advancements. This review article emphasizes on these advances in the field of drug delivery systems.展开更多
The main goal of this paper is to design nanorobotic agent communication mechanisms which would yield coordinated swarm behavior. Precisely we propose a bee-inspired swarm control algorithm that allows nanorobotic age...The main goal of this paper is to design nanorobotic agent communication mechanisms which would yield coordinated swarm behavior. Precisely we propose a bee-inspired swarm control algorithm that allows nanorobotic agents communication in order to converge at a specific target. In this paper, we present experiment to test convergence speed and quality in a simulated multi-agent deployment in an environment with a single target. This is done to measure whether the use of our algorithm or random guess improves efficiency in terms of convergence and quality. The results attained from the experiments indicated that the use of our algorithm enhance the coordinated movement of agents towards the target compared to random guess.展开更多
Robotics has emerged as a collegiate course about 20 years ago at Stanford University, Stanford, CA. From the first IRB6, the electrically powered robot in 1974, the industry has grown over a 30-year period. A leading...Robotics has emerged as a collegiate course about 20 years ago at Stanford University, Stanford, CA. From the first IRB6, the electrically powered robot in 1974, the industry has grown over a 30-year period. A leading supplier of robots has put out over 100,000 robots by year 2001. Robot capable of handling 500 kg load was introduced in 2001, IRB 7000. A number of advances have been made in nanostructuring. About 40 different nanostructuring methods were reviewed recently [1]. Nanobots can be developed that effect cures of disorders that are difficult to treat. Principles from photodynamic therapy, fullerene chemistry, nanostructuring, X-rays, computers, pharmacokinetics and robotics are applied in a design of nanorobot for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The curcuma longa that has shown curative effects in rats’ brain with Alzheimer’s is complexed with fullerenes. The drug is inactive when caged. It is infused intrathecally into the cerebrospinal system. Irradiation of the hypothalamous and other areas of the brain where Alzheimer’s disease is prevalent lead to breakage of fullerenes and availability of the drug with the diseased cells. Due to better mass transfer, better cure is affected. The other plausible reactions such as addition polymerization of fullerene, polycurcumin formation and other hydrolysis reactions are modeled along with the drug action under the Denbigh scheme of reactions. The fractional yield of drug-curcumin interaction is a function of intensity of radiation, frequency of radiation, patient demographics, age, gender, and other disorders etc. Chromophore in curcumin is used as a sensor and computer imaging and feedback control design can result in more bioavailability for curcumin therapeutic action to cure Alzheimer’s disease. This study examines the principles used in the design, the strategy of the design of the nanorobot drug delivery system with a specific target and pharamacokinetic formulation of the associated competing parallel reactions. The burrow and link capabilities at a nanoscopic level are also available if needed.展开更多
In molecular engineering,designing and synthesizing molecular machines with capable of performing complex tasks,remains a formidable challenge.DNA is an excellent candidate for building molecular robots because it is ...In molecular engineering,designing and synthesizing molecular machines with capable of performing complex tasks,remains a formidable challenge.DNA is an excellent candidate for building molecular robots because it is highly programmable.Here,we present an artificial nanorobot,in which a DNA cube serves as the inert‘body’,and nucleic acid catalysts based on an enzymatic nicking reaction act as the‘legs’for walking.The nanorobot can execute a series of actions,such as‘start’,‘turn’,and‘stop’when it walks along a predefined track.Its performance could be confirmed and monitored by using an atomic force microscope(AFM)and fluorescence spectroscopy.Inspired by biological machines,we artificially designed a series of specialized tasks that combined walking with control of cargo transport and catalysis.Real-time fluorescence kinetics curves provide monitoring signals for cargo transport and catalytic processes.Our work can enrich the toolbox of DNA machinery and has great potential for engineering molecular nanofactories.展开更多
The disruption and reconstruction of the TREM2^(+) tissue resident macrophage(TRM)barrier on the surface of synovial lining play a key role in the activation and"remission"of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),which e...The disruption and reconstruction of the TREM2^(+) tissue resident macrophage(TRM)barrier on the surface of synovial lining play a key role in the activation and"remission"of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),which engender the prediction of this immunologic barrier as a potential driver for the achievement of"cure"in RA.However,strategies to promote the reconstruction of this barrier have not been reported,and the effect of patching this barrier remains unidentified.On the other hand,appropriate piezoelectric stimulation can reprogram macrophages,which has never been exerted on this barrier TRM yet.Herein,we design piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO_(3)(BTO)ultrasound-driven nanorobots(USNRs)by the solvothermal synthesis method,which demonstrates satisfactory electro-mechanical conversion effects,paving the way to generate controllable electrical stimulation under ultrasound to reprogram the barrier TRM by minimally invasive injection into joint cavity.It is demonstrated that the immunologic barrier could be patched by this USNR effectively,thereby eliminating the hyperplasia of vessels and nerves(HVN)and synovitis.Additionally,TREM2 deficiency serum-transfected arthritis(STA)mice models are applied and proved the indispensable role of TREM2 in RA curing mediated by USNR.In all,our work is an interesting and important exploration to expand the classical tetragonal BTO nanoparticles in the treatment of autoimmune diseases,providing a new idea and direction for the biomedical application of piezoelectric ceramics.展开更多
Swarming magnetic micro/nanorobots hold great promise for biomedical applications,but at present suffer from inferior capabilities to perceive and respond to chemical signals in local microenvironments.Here we demonst...Swarming magnetic micro/nanorobots hold great promise for biomedical applications,but at present suffer from inferior capabilities to perceive and respond to chemical signals in local microenvironments.Here we demonstrate swarming magnetic photonic crystal microrobots(PC-bots)capable of sponta-neously performing on-the-fly visual pH detection and self regulated drug delivery by perceiving local pH changes.The magnetic PC-bots consist of pH-responsive hydrogel microspheres with encapsulated one-dimensional periodic assemblies of Fe3O4 nanoparticles.By programming extemnal rotating magnetic fields,they can self-organize into large swarms with much-enhanced collective velocity to actively find targets while shining bright“blinking”structural colors.When approaching the target with abnormal pH conditions(e.g.an ulcerated superficial tumor lesion),the PC-bots can visualize local pH changes on the fly via pH-responsive structural colors,and realize self-regulated release of the loaded drugs by recognizing local pH.This work facilita tes the develop-ment of intelligent micro/nanorobots for active“motile-targeting”tumor diag-nosis and treatment.展开更多
Untethered motile micro/nanorobots(MNRs)that can operate in hard-to-reach small space and perform noninvasive tasks in cellular level hold bright future in healthcare,nanomanufacturing,biosensing,and environmental rem...Untethered motile micro/nanorobots(MNRs)that can operate in hard-to-reach small space and perform noninvasive tasks in cellular level hold bright future in healthcare,nanomanufacturing,biosensing,and environmental remediation.Light,as a flexible encoding method with tunable freedom of intensity,wavelength,polarization,and propagation direction,endows unique spatialtemporal precision and dexterity to the manipulation of MNRs.Meanwhile,light has been extensively investigated as functional signals in bioimaging,phototherapy,as well as photoelectrochemical reactions.The hybridization of light and other actuation method ushers in novel MNRs with broadened design space,improved controllability,and advanced functionality.In this review,the fundamental mechanisms of light-driven MNRs will be revisited.On top of it,light hybrid systems,coupling with magnetic,electric,chemical,or ultrasound field,will be reviewed,with light for propulsion or as functional signal.The rational hybridization of multiple stimulus in MNRs not only promises simple combination of two driving forces,but more importantly,motivates rethinking of light-driven MNRs for unprecedented applications.展开更多
Flapping-wing flying insects possess various advantages,such as high agility and efficiency.The design and manufacture of insect-scale flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle(FWMAV)have attracted increasing attention in re...Flapping-wing flying insects possess various advantages,such as high agility and efficiency.The design and manufacture of insect-scale flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle(FWMAV)have attracted increasing attention in recent decades.Due to the limitations of size and weight,the FWMAV with an onboard battery which can fully mimic insect flight has not been achieved.In this work,we design and fabricate a highly integrated flapping-wing microrobot named Robomoth.The Robomoth consists of a carbon chassis,customized power and control devices,and two piezoelectric ceramic actuators symmetrically distributed in the thorax and controlled individually.It weighs 2.487 g,spans 5.9 cm in length,possesses 9 cm of wingspan,and carries a 0.355 g rechargeable lithium battery.We demonstrate the mobility of the Robomoth through untethered gliding and making turns on the water surface.A simplified dynamic model of the flapping system is proposed to explain the relationship between the driving frequency and the flapping amplitude.The Robomoth is one new untethered bioinspired flapping-wing robot that can perform stable water surface motion,which holds potential applications such as search and rescue on the water.The robot can also provide insight for designing insect-scale flying vehicles.展开更多
Precise diagnostic approaches have great potential in cancer intervention and prognosis.Although diverse DNA nanoprobes have been reported for tumor diagnosis,precise tumor imaging in vivo still encounters a great cha...Precise diagnostic approaches have great potential in cancer intervention and prognosis.Although diverse DNA nanoprobes have been reported for tumor diagnosis,precise tumor imaging in vivo still encounters a great challenge due to the scarcity of exquisite design methodology.Herein,by assembling three programmable modules on a DNA triangular prism,we engineered a DNA nanorobot for simultaneous recognition of extracellular pH and cancer cell membrane receptor in an intelligent manner.Since the design uses two heterogeneous types of biomarkers as inputs,pH-RE not only could discriminate target tumor cells from similar cell mixtures with a recognition accuracy as high as 98.8%,but also could perform precise tumor imaging in living mice by intravenous injection.We expect that this extracellular pH and membrane receptor dual-driven DNA nanorobot will facilitate the establishment of a novel design paradigm for precise cancer diagnosis and therapy.展开更多
We present a statistical distribution of a nanorobot motion inside the blood.This distribution is like the distribution of A and B particles in continuous time random walk scheme inside the fAuid reactive anomalous tr...We present a statistical distribution of a nanorobot motion inside the blood.This distribution is like the distribution of A and B particles in continuous time random walk scheme inside the fAuid reactive anomalous transport with stochastic waiting time depending on the Gaussian distribution and a Gaussian jump length which is detailed in Zhang and Li[J.Stat.Phys,Published Online with doi:10.1007/s10955-018-2185-8,2018].Rather than estimating the length parameter of the jumping distance of the nanorobot,we normalize the Probability Density Function(PDF)and present some reliability properties for this distribution.In addition,we discuss the truncated version of this distribution and its statistical properties,and estimate its length parameter.We use the estimated distance to study the conditions that give a finite expected value of the first meeting time between this nanorobot in the case of nonlinear flow with independent d-dimensional Gaussian jumps and an independent d-dimensional CD4 T Brownian cell in the blood(d-space)to prevent the HIV virus from proliferating within this cell.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52103171,82172738,82272457,22305044)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2023M730638)+3 种基金“Technology Innovation Action Plan”of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(21S11902700)Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(21ZR1412300),Shanghai Science and Technology program(23Y31900202,23010502600)Shanghai“Rising Stars of Medical Talent”Youth Development Program(Youth Medical Talents-Specialist Program,[2020]087)Medical Engineering fund of Fudan University(yg2023-27).
文摘Surgery remains the standard treatment for spinal metastasis.However,uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding poses a significant challenge for adequate surgical resection and compromises surgical outcomes.In this study,we develop a thrombin(Thr)-loaded nanorobothydrogel hybrid superstructure by incorporating nanorobots into regenerated silk fibroin nanofibril hydrogels.This superstructure with superior thixotropic properties is injected percutaneously and dispersed into the spinal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with easy bleeding characteristics,before spinal surgery in a mouse model.Under near-infrared irradiation,the self-motile nanorobots penetrate into the deep spinal tumor,releasing Thr in a controlled manner.Thr-induced thrombosis effectively blocks the tumor vasculature and reduces bleeding,inhibiting tumor growth and postoperative recurrence with Au nanorod-mediated photothermal therapy.Our minimally invasive treatment platform provides a novel preoperative therapeutic strategy for HCC spinal metastasis effectively controlling intraoperative bleeding and tumor growth,with potentially reduced surgical complications and enhanced operative outcomes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation under Project No. 52205590the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province under Project No. BK20220834+4 种基金the Start-up Research Fund of Southeast University under Project No. RF1028623098the Xiaomi Foundation/ Xiaomi Young Talents Programsupported by the Research Impact Fund (project no. R4015-21)Research Fellow Scheme (project no. RFS2122-4S03)the EU-Hong Kong Research and Innovation Cooperation Co-funding Mechanism (project no. E-CUHK401/20) from the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, the SIAT-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, and the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), InnoHK, at the Hong Kong Science Park
文摘Untethered micro/nanorobots that can wirelessly control their motion and deformation state have gained enormous interest in remote sensing applications due to their unique motion characteristics in various media and diverse functionalities.Researchers are developing micro/nanorobots as innovative tools to improve sensing performance and miniaturize sensing systems,enabling in situ detection of substances that traditional sensing methods struggle to achieve.Over the past decade of development,significant research progress has been made in designing sensing strategies based on micro/nanorobots,employing various coordinated control and sensing approaches.This review summarizes the latest developments on micro/nanorobots for remote sensing applications by utilizing the self-generated signals of the robots,robot behavior,microrobotic manipulation,and robot-environment interactions.Providing recent studies and relevant applications in remote sensing,we also discuss the challenges and future perspectives facing micro/nanorobots-based intelligent sensing platforms to achieve sensing in complex environments,translating lab research achievements into widespread real applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.61673372,91748212,61522312,U1613220,and61433017)the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences,CAS(Grant No.QYZDB-SSW-JSC008)the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams
文摘Micro-and nanorobotic is an emerging field of research arising from the cross-fusion of micro/nano technology and robotics and has become an important part of robotics. Micro-and nanorobots have the advantages of small size, low weight, large thrust-toweight ratio, high flexibility, and high sensitivity. Due to the characteristics distinguishing from macroscopic robots, micro-and nanorobots have stimulated the research interest of the scientific community and opened up numerous application fields such as drug delivery and disease diagnosis. In the past 30 years, research on micro-and nanorobots has made considerable progress.This article provides a comprehensive overview of the development of these robots. First, the application of the robots is reviewed. Then, the key components of the robots are discussed separately, covering their actuation, design, fabrication and control. In addition, from the perspectives of intelligence and sensing, clinical applications, materials and performance, the challenges that may be encountered in the development of such robots in the future are discussed. Finally, the entire article is summarized, and concepts for future micro-and nanorobots are described.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Project(No.2021YFA1201400)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52073222,51573144 and 21474078)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(WUT:2021IVA118 and 2022IVA201).
文摘Micro/nanorobots can propel and navigate in many hard-to-reach biological environments,and thus may bring revolutionary changes to biomedical research and applications.However,current MNRs lack the capability to collectively perceive and report physicochemical changes in unknown microenvironments.Here we propose to develop swarming responsive photonic nanorobots that can map local physicochemical conditions on the fly and further guide localized photothermal treatment.The RPNRs consist of a photonic nanochain of periodically-assembled magnetic Fe_(3)O_(4)nanoparticles encapsulated in a responsive hydrogel shell,and show multiple integrated functions,including energetic magnetically-driven swarming motions,bright stimuli-responsive structural colors,and photothermal conversion.Thus,they can actively navigate in complex environments utilizing their controllable swarming motions,then visualize unknown targets(e.g.,tumor lesion)by collectively mapping out local abnormal physicochemical conditions(e.g.,pH,temperature,or glucose concentra-tion)via their responsive structural colors,and further guide external light irradiation to initiate localized photothermal treatment.This work facilitates the development of intelligent motile nanosensors and versatile multifunctional nanotheranostics for cancer and inflam-matory diseases.
文摘Magnetic helical micro- and nanorobots can perform 3D navigation in various liquids with a sub- micrometer precision under low-strength rotating magnetic fields (〈 10 rer). Since magnetic fields with low strengths are harmless to cells and tissues, magnetic helical micro/ nanorobots are promising tools for biomedical applications, such as minimally invasive surgery, cell manipulation and analysis, and targeted therapy. This review provides general information on magnetic helical micro/nanorobots, including their fabrication, motion control, and further functionalization for biomedical applications.
基金Institute for Advanced Study and School of Material Science and Engineering of Tongji University.L.M.acknowledges the support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.81501607 and 51875518),as well as the support from Development Projects of Zhejiang Province (Grant No.2017C 1054).
文摘The advancement in the micro-/nanofabrication techniques has greatly facilitated the development of micromotors.A variety of micromotors have been invented with powerful functions,which have attracted a broad range of interests from chemistry, physics,mechanics,biology and medicine.In this paper,we reviewed recent progress in micromotors and highlighted representative works.The mechanisms of micromotors by internal and external energy sources were described.We described general fabrication strategies of the popular micromotors (wire,tubular,helical and Janus)including bottom-up and top-down approaches.In the application section,we primarily focused on the biological applications,such as biological cargo delivery, biosensing and surgery.At last,we discussed the current challenges and provided future prospects.
文摘Successful treatment of most of the diseases is limited by a lack of safe and effective methods of drug delivery. Drug delivery methods have significant effects on the pharmacological efficacy of a drug. Every drug has an optimum concentration range within which maximum benefit is derived;and concentrations above or below the range can be toxic or provide no therapeutic benefits at all. Therefore, development of an efficient drug delivery system remains an important challenge in medicine, and this can be achieved only through multidisciplinary approaches to the mechanisms of delivery of drugs to targets in tissues. Thus, several drug delivery and drug targeting systems are currently being developed. Targeting is an ability to direct the drug(s) to the desired site. There are two major mechanisms, viz., active and passive for drug targeting. Controlled drug release and subsequent biodegradation are also indispensable for developing successful formulations. Colloidal drug vehicles such as micelles, vesicles, liquid crystal dispersions, and nanomaterials consisting of miniscule nanoparticles of 5 - 200 nm diameter have shown great promise as drug delivery systems. In this context, past decades have witnessed certain major advancements. This review article emphasizes on these advances in the field of drug delivery systems.
文摘The main goal of this paper is to design nanorobotic agent communication mechanisms which would yield coordinated swarm behavior. Precisely we propose a bee-inspired swarm control algorithm that allows nanorobotic agents communication in order to converge at a specific target. In this paper, we present experiment to test convergence speed and quality in a simulated multi-agent deployment in an environment with a single target. This is done to measure whether the use of our algorithm or random guess improves efficiency in terms of convergence and quality. The results attained from the experiments indicated that the use of our algorithm enhance the coordinated movement of agents towards the target compared to random guess.
文摘Robotics has emerged as a collegiate course about 20 years ago at Stanford University, Stanford, CA. From the first IRB6, the electrically powered robot in 1974, the industry has grown over a 30-year period. A leading supplier of robots has put out over 100,000 robots by year 2001. Robot capable of handling 500 kg load was introduced in 2001, IRB 7000. A number of advances have been made in nanostructuring. About 40 different nanostructuring methods were reviewed recently [1]. Nanobots can be developed that effect cures of disorders that are difficult to treat. Principles from photodynamic therapy, fullerene chemistry, nanostructuring, X-rays, computers, pharmacokinetics and robotics are applied in a design of nanorobot for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The curcuma longa that has shown curative effects in rats’ brain with Alzheimer’s is complexed with fullerenes. The drug is inactive when caged. It is infused intrathecally into the cerebrospinal system. Irradiation of the hypothalamous and other areas of the brain where Alzheimer’s disease is prevalent lead to breakage of fullerenes and availability of the drug with the diseased cells. Due to better mass transfer, better cure is affected. The other plausible reactions such as addition polymerization of fullerene, polycurcumin formation and other hydrolysis reactions are modeled along with the drug action under the Denbigh scheme of reactions. The fractional yield of drug-curcumin interaction is a function of intensity of radiation, frequency of radiation, patient demographics, age, gender, and other disorders etc. Chromophore in curcumin is used as a sensor and computer imaging and feedback control design can result in more bioavailability for curcumin therapeutic action to cure Alzheimer’s disease. This study examines the principles used in the design, the strategy of the design of the nanorobot drug delivery system with a specific target and pharamacokinetic formulation of the associated competing parallel reactions. The burrow and link capabilities at a nanoscopic level are also available if needed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21991080,22374042)the Science and Technology Major Project of Hunan Province,China(No.2021SK1020).
文摘In molecular engineering,designing and synthesizing molecular machines with capable of performing complex tasks,remains a formidable challenge.DNA is an excellent candidate for building molecular robots because it is highly programmable.Here,we present an artificial nanorobot,in which a DNA cube serves as the inert‘body’,and nucleic acid catalysts based on an enzymatic nicking reaction act as the‘legs’for walking.The nanorobot can execute a series of actions,such as‘start’,‘turn’,and‘stop’when it walks along a predefined track.Its performance could be confirmed and monitored by using an atomic force microscope(AFM)and fluorescence spectroscopy.Inspired by biological machines,we artificially designed a series of specialized tasks that combined walking with control of cargo transport and catalysis.Real-time fluorescence kinetics curves provide monitoring signals for cargo transport and catalytic processes.Our work can enrich the toolbox of DNA machinery and has great potential for engineering molecular nanofactories.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21878173 and 22278241)the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFA0901700)+1 种基金the Institute Guo Qiang,Tsinghua University(2021GQG1016)the Department of Chemical Engineering-iBHE Joint Cooperation Fund。
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52072210 and 52111530230)Key R&D Projects of Social Development of Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology(Grant No.ZDYF2020137)Tsinghua University Beijing Union Medical CollegeeHospital Cooperation Project(Grant No.20191080871).
文摘The disruption and reconstruction of the TREM2^(+) tissue resident macrophage(TRM)barrier on the surface of synovial lining play a key role in the activation and"remission"of rheumatoid arthritis(RA),which engender the prediction of this immunologic barrier as a potential driver for the achievement of"cure"in RA.However,strategies to promote the reconstruction of this barrier have not been reported,and the effect of patching this barrier remains unidentified.On the other hand,appropriate piezoelectric stimulation can reprogram macrophages,which has never been exerted on this barrier TRM yet.Herein,we design piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO_(3)(BTO)ultrasound-driven nanorobots(USNRs)by the solvothermal synthesis method,which demonstrates satisfactory electro-mechanical conversion effects,paving the way to generate controllable electrical stimulation under ultrasound to reprogram the barrier TRM by minimally invasive injection into joint cavity.It is demonstrated that the immunologic barrier could be patched by this USNR effectively,thereby eliminating the hyperplasia of vessels and nerves(HVN)and synovitis.Additionally,TREM2 deficiency serum-transfected arthritis(STA)mice models are applied and proved the indispensable role of TREM2 in RA curing mediated by USNR.In all,our work is an interesting and important exploration to expand the classical tetragonal BTO nanoparticles in the treatment of autoimmune diseases,providing a new idea and direction for the biomedical application of piezoelectric ceramics.
基金National Key Research and Development Program,Grant/Award Numbers:2021YFA1201400,2022YF B4701700National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:21875175,52073222,52175009+3 种基金Interdisciplinary Research Foundation of HIT,Grant/Award Number:1R20211219Natural Science Foundation of Chonging,Grant/Award Number:CSTB2022NSCQ-MSX0507Natural Science Foundation of Heilongian Province,Grant/Award Number.YQ2022E022Central University Basic Research Fund of China,Grant/Award Number:2022IVA201。
文摘Swarming magnetic micro/nanorobots hold great promise for biomedical applications,but at present suffer from inferior capabilities to perceive and respond to chemical signals in local microenvironments.Here we demonstrate swarming magnetic photonic crystal microrobots(PC-bots)capable of sponta-neously performing on-the-fly visual pH detection and self regulated drug delivery by perceiving local pH changes.The magnetic PC-bots consist of pH-responsive hydrogel microspheres with encapsulated one-dimensional periodic assemblies of Fe3O4 nanoparticles.By programming extemnal rotating magnetic fields,they can self-organize into large swarms with much-enhanced collective velocity to actively find targets while shining bright“blinking”structural colors.When approaching the target with abnormal pH conditions(e.g.an ulcerated superficial tumor lesion),the PC-bots can visualize local pH changes on the fly via pH-responsive structural colors,and realize self-regulated release of the loaded drugs by recognizing local pH.This work facilita tes the develop-ment of intelligent micro/nanorobots for active“motile-targeting”tumor diag-nosis and treatment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22005119,21731002,and 21975104)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2020A1515110404)+5 种基金Guangzhou Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.202102020444)Guangdong Major Project of Basic and Applied Research(No.2019B030302009)the Hong Kong Research Grants Council(RGC)General Research Fund(Nos.GRF17305917,GRF17303015,and GRF17304618)the Seed Funding for Interdisciplinary Research(University of Hong Kong)the Science Technology and Innovation Program of Shenzhen(No.JCYJ20170818141618963)the ShenzhenHong Kong Innovation Circle Program(No.SGDX2019081623341332).
文摘Untethered motile micro/nanorobots(MNRs)that can operate in hard-to-reach small space and perform noninvasive tasks in cellular level hold bright future in healthcare,nanomanufacturing,biosensing,and environmental remediation.Light,as a flexible encoding method with tunable freedom of intensity,wavelength,polarization,and propagation direction,endows unique spatialtemporal precision and dexterity to the manipulation of MNRs.Meanwhile,light has been extensively investigated as functional signals in bioimaging,phototherapy,as well as photoelectrochemical reactions.The hybridization of light and other actuation method ushers in novel MNRs with broadened design space,improved controllability,and advanced functionality.In this review,the fundamental mechanisms of light-driven MNRs will be revisited.On top of it,light hybrid systems,coupling with magnetic,electric,chemical,or ultrasound field,will be reviewed,with light for propulsion or as functional signal.The rational hybridization of multiple stimulus in MNRs not only promises simple combination of two driving forces,but more importantly,motivates rethinking of light-driven MNRs for unprecedented applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.91748209)the 111 Project(Grant No.B21034)the Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province(Grant No.2020C05010)。
文摘Flapping-wing flying insects possess various advantages,such as high agility and efficiency.The design and manufacture of insect-scale flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle(FWMAV)have attracted increasing attention in recent decades.Due to the limitations of size and weight,the FWMAV with an onboard battery which can fully mimic insect flight has not been achieved.In this work,we design and fabricate a highly integrated flapping-wing microrobot named Robomoth.The Robomoth consists of a carbon chassis,customized power and control devices,and two piezoelectric ceramic actuators symmetrically distributed in the thorax and controlled individually.It weighs 2.487 g,spans 5.9 cm in length,possesses 9 cm of wingspan,and carries a 0.355 g rechargeable lithium battery.We demonstrate the mobility of the Robomoth through untethered gliding and making turns on the water surface.A simplified dynamic model of the flapping system is proposed to explain the relationship between the driving frequency and the flapping amplitude.The Robomoth is one new untethered bioinspired flapping-wing robot that can perform stable water surface motion,which holds potential applications such as search and rescue on the water.The robot can also provide insight for designing insect-scale flying vehicles.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(nos.21974125 and 21605038)the National 111 Project of China(no.D20003)+1 种基金Zhongyuan Scholars Program(no.202101510005)the Collaborative Innovation Project of Zhengzhou(Zhengzhou University)(grant no.18XTZX12002).
文摘Precise diagnostic approaches have great potential in cancer intervention and prognosis.Although diverse DNA nanoprobes have been reported for tumor diagnosis,precise tumor imaging in vivo still encounters a great challenge due to the scarcity of exquisite design methodology.Herein,by assembling three programmable modules on a DNA triangular prism,we engineered a DNA nanorobot for simultaneous recognition of extracellular pH and cancer cell membrane receptor in an intelligent manner.Since the design uses two heterogeneous types of biomarkers as inputs,pH-RE not only could discriminate target tumor cells from similar cell mixtures with a recognition accuracy as high as 98.8%,but also could perform precise tumor imaging in living mice by intravenous injection.We expect that this extracellular pH and membrane receptor dual-driven DNA nanorobot will facilitate the establishment of a novel design paradigm for precise cancer diagnosis and therapy.
基金The authors gratefully acknowledge the Deanship of Scientific Research,Taibah University for the support of this research work,research Group No.60337.
文摘We present a statistical distribution of a nanorobot motion inside the blood.This distribution is like the distribution of A and B particles in continuous time random walk scheme inside the fAuid reactive anomalous transport with stochastic waiting time depending on the Gaussian distribution and a Gaussian jump length which is detailed in Zhang and Li[J.Stat.Phys,Published Online with doi:10.1007/s10955-018-2185-8,2018].Rather than estimating the length parameter of the jumping distance of the nanorobot,we normalize the Probability Density Function(PDF)and present some reliability properties for this distribution.In addition,we discuss the truncated version of this distribution and its statistical properties,and estimate its length parameter.We use the estimated distance to study the conditions that give a finite expected value of the first meeting time between this nanorobot in the case of nonlinear flow with independent d-dimensional Gaussian jumps and an independent d-dimensional CD4 T Brownian cell in the blood(d-space)to prevent the HIV virus from proliferating within this cell.