Micro & Nano Letters
·
2021
·Vol. 16
·期 12
·582-590
·
IF 1.102
Runhuai Yang,Shilu Zhu,Lijiu Zhang,Fuzhou Niu,Shuang Liu
Soft untethered microswimmers have recently been demonstrated to be capable of transporting and delivering cargos by external control while maintaining biocompatibility and safety. However, such microswimmers still suffer from complex and inconvenient fabrication processes and control methods, which impedes their clinical translation. In this paper, an easy-to-fabricate, magnetic-driven and IR-induced shape transformative microswimmer is presented. This microswimmer can be fabricated in a fast, low-cost and high-throughput manner. Besides, the soft body of the microswimmer can provide an inherent friendly contact with the biological environment, and its components are biocompatible and biodegradable. Being magnetically-drivable allows the microswimmer to provide untethered movement and targeted therapy in the human body, and its IR-induced shape transformability enables penetrable regulation of the movement and function. Furthermore, the shape of the untethered microswimmer can be transformed due to its combination of low melting behaviours and multi-response materials, suggesting that other materials with similar properties can also be adopted in a similar method. The proposed method validates the feasibility to integrate polymers for fabricating magnetic-driven, infrared-responsive and shape transformative microswimmers.
研究领域:
医学工程
·
材料科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Nature Communications
·
2024
·Vol. 15
·期 1
·1-11
·
IF 14.7
Tan Rong,Yang Xiong,Lu Haojian,Shen Yajing
Microswimmers are considered promising candidates for active cargo delivery to benefit a wide spectrum of biomedical applications. Yet, big challenges still remain in designing the microswimmers with effective propelling, desirable loading and adaptive releasing abilities all in one. Inspired by the morphology and biofunction of spermatozoa, we report a one-step formation strategy of polymorphous sperm-like magnetic microswimmers (PSMs) by developing a vortex turbulence-assisted microfluidics (VTAM) platform. The fabricated PSM is biodegradable with a core-shell head and flexible tail, and their morphology can be adjusted by vortex flow rotation speed and calcium chloride solution concentration. Benefiting from the sperm-like design, our PSM exhibits both effective motion ability under remote mag/netic actuation and protective encapsulation ability for material loading. Further, it can also realize the stable sustain release after alginate-chitosan-alginate (ACA) layer coating modification. This research proposes and verifies a new strategy for the sperm-like microswimmer construction, offering an alternative solution for the target delivery of diverse drugs and biologics for future biomedical treatment. Moreover, the proposed VTAM could also be a general method for other sophisticated polymorphous structures fabrication that isn’t achievable by conventional laminar flow.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
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材料科学
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纳米医学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2023
·
IF 9.5
Ming You,Fangzhi Mou,Ke Wang,Jianguo Guan
In analogy to eukaryotic cells that move by beating the flagella, magnetically powered micro/nanorobots with flexible filaments are capable of eluding the limitation of the scallop theorem to generate net displacement in a three-dimensional space, but they are limited by complicated fabrication and low speed. Here, we demonstrate a tadpole-like flexible microswimmer with a head and tail that are both magnetic by developing a magnetically assisted in situ polymerization method. The flexible microswimmer consists of a magnetic-bead head fixed to a nanochain bundle of magnetic nanoparticles (tail), and the tail length and stiffness can be adjusted simply by changing the duration and strength of the applied magnetic field during fabrication, respectively. For the microswimmer under an oscillating magnetic field, the magnetic head generates an undulatory motion, which can be further increased by the flexible magnetic tail. The magnetically induced undulation of the head and tail generates a traveling wave propagating through its flexible tail, resulting in efficient tadpole-like propulsion of the microswimmer. The flexible microswimmer runs at a maximum motion speed when the tail length is ∼5 times the diameter of the magnetic head, corresponding to ∼half the wavelength of the undulatory motion. The flexible microswimmers reported here are promising for active sensing and drug delivery, as the tails can be designed with various responsive hydrogels, and the results are expected to advance flexible micro/nanorobots.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
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纳米技术
·
机器人学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
·
2024
·
IF 3.8
Rong-Kun Liu,Jia Jia,Qian Sun,Hong Zhao,Jie-Xin Wang
Janus-microswimmers, as efficient self-propelled materials, have garnered considerable attention, particularly for their potential applications in nonagitated liquids, like natural aquatic systems. However, current microswimmers face challenges such as unconfined diffusion areas and small-scale production. Herein, we propose a scalable spray-drying-assisted strategy for the efficient production of Janus-microswimmers. The Janus structures are fabricated by the assembly of polystyrene microparticles and SiO2/polydopamine nanoparticles in the microdroplets, and the single-side propulsion microswimmers are subsequently obtained by loading MnO2. By catalyzing the decomposition of H2O2 to produce oxygen, the speed of these microswimmers is much faster than those of other reported continuous-motion microswimmers. Interestingly, the microswimmers are self-propelled and gather in the proximity of water surface, and the extent of the confined area is controllable. This range-confined motion, distinct from the traditional irregular motion, offers a novel perspective on the behavioral patterns of Janus-microswimmers. Furthermore, by in situ loading of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, the microswimmers can be sensitively induced and controlled in their movement direction by a magnetic field. As a proof-of-concept, by harnessing the hydrophobic components of the microswimmers, we successfully recover floating oil films in a simulated natural water body, offering a promising approach for the remediation of petroleum pollution in the environment.
研究领域:
材料科学
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环境科学
·
纳米技术
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
·
2018
·
IF 3.141
Meng-Jiao Tang,Wei Wang,Zhi-Lu Li,Zi-Ming Liu,Zhi-Yu Guo,Hua-Yu Tian,Zhuang Liu,Xiao-Jie Ju,Rui Xie,Liang-Yin Chu
Controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures are fabricated, by a facile strategy based on microfluidic template synthesis and biosilicification, to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport. The magnetic hybrid microswimmers are fabricated by first synthesizing Fe3O4-nanoparticles-containing helical Ca-alginate microfibers from microfluidics, followed with biosilicification and controllable dicing to engineer their rigid hollow helical structures. The microswimmers show hollow helical structures consisting of a rigid, biocompatible alginate/protamine/silica shell embedded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Their helical structures can be engineered into open tubular structures or closed compartmental structures by using microfibers or diced microfibers as templates for biosilicification. Powered by a simple rotating magnet, the microswimmers can achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion and provide good mechanical strength for supporting cargo for transportation. This work provides a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating controllable magnetic hybrid microswimmers with hollow helical structures to achieve enhanced rotation-based locomotion for cargo transport, encapsulation, and delivery.
研究领域:
材料科学
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生物医学工程
·
纳米技术
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
·
2023
·
IF 5.7
Xiong Junfeng,Zhang Junkai,Zhong Yukun,Song Xiaoxia,Wang Haoying,Cheang U Kei
Ultraviolet lithography is a very promising technology used for the batch fabrication of biomedical microswimmers. However, creating microswimmers that can swim at low Reynolds number using biocompatible materials while retaining strong magnetic properties and excellent biomedical functionality is a great challenge. Most of the previously reported biomedical microswimmers possess either strong magnetic properties by using non-biocompatible nickel coating or good biocompatibility by using iron oxide particle-embedded hydrogel with weak magnetism, but not both. Alternatively, iron oxide nanoparticles can be coated on the surface of microswimmers to improve magnetic properties; however, this method limited the usability of the microswimmers’ surfaces. To address these shortcomings, this work utilized an in situ synthesis technique to generate high magnetic content inside hydrogel-based achiral planar microswimmers while leaving their surfaces free to be functionalized for SERS detection. The hydrogel matrices of the magnetically actuated hydrogel-based microswimmers were first prepared by ultraviolet lithography. Then, the high concentration of iron oxide was achieved through multiple continuous in situ coprecipitation cycles. Finally, the SERS detection capability of magnetically actuated hydrogel-based microswimmers was enabled by uniformly growing silver nanoparticles on the surface of the microswimmers. In the motion control tests, the microswimmers showed a high swimming efficiency, high step-out frequency, and consistent synchronized motion. Furthermore, the magnetically actuated hydrogel-based microswimmers were able to improve the detection efficiency of analytes under magnetic guidance.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
材料科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ADVANCED MATERIALS
·
2025
·
IF 26.8
Haiying Liang,Jiamiao Jiang,Jiajun Miao,Jia Sun,Hanfeng Qin,Xiaoting Zhang,Lishan Zhang,Hao Tian,Yicheng Ye,Junbin Gao,Fei Wang,Shuai Han,Fei Peng,Yingfeng Tu
Overproduction of pathogenic cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays crucial roles in the onset and perpetuation of ulcerative colitis (UC). Inspired by sweeping robots, a magnesium@polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer@polyethylenimine (Mg@PLGA@PEI) microswimmer capable of cleaning off deleterious disease triggers along its path of progress is designed. Mg@PLGA@PEI is successfully synthesized by adopting a core-shell structure with a small opening which allows for Mg-water reaction. The distinctive motility performance resulting from sustained detachment of the produced hydrogen not only contributes to strengthened hydrogen diffusion concomitant with potentiated ROS neutralization, but also facilitates the contacting probability with microenvironmental cfDNA and thus enhances the DNA binding efficiency. By integrating these merits, the developed Mg@PLGA@PEI confers desirable curative efficacy in a classical DSS-induced acute colitis mouse model. Enema administration of Mg@PLGA@PEI microswimmers substantially alleviates the manifestations related to UC, as evidenced by the body weight recovery, colon length retention, colon tissue protection, and attenuated intestinal inflammation, which is attributed to the active scavenging of cfDNA and ROS. This work provides a paradigm for a drug-free strategy competent in spontaneously eliminating causative triggers with minimal side effects, which presents a promising alternative for the active therapy of UC or other cfDNA- and ROS-related diseases in the clinic.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
材料科学
·
消化系统疾病
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Nano
·
2020
·
IF 14.588
Lisi Xie,Xin Pang,Xiaohui Yan,Qixuan Dai,Huirong Lin,Jing Ye,Yi Cheng,Qingliang Zhao,Xing Ma,Xianzhong Zhang,Gang Liu,Xiaoyuan Chen
Micro/nanorobots have been extensively explored as a tetherless small-scale robotic biodevice to perform minimally invasive interventions in hard-to-reach regions. Despite the emergence of versatile micro/nanorobots in recent years, matched in vivo development remains challenging, limited by unsatisfactory integration of core functions. Herein, we report a polydopamine (PDA)-coated magnetic microswimmer consisting of a magnetized Spirulina (MSP) matrix and PDA surface. Apart from the properties of the existing MSP (e.g., robust propulsion, natural fluorescence, tailored biodegradation, and selective cytotoxicity), the introduced PDA coating enhances the photoacoustic (PA) signal and photothermal effect of the MSP, thus making PA image tracking and photothermal therapy possible. Meanwhile, the PDA’s innate fluorescence quenching and diverse surface reactivity allows an off–on fluorescence diagnosis with fluorescence probes (e.g., coumarin 7). As a proof of concept, real-time image tracking (by PA imaging) and desired theranostic capabilities of PDA-MSP microswimmer swarms are demonstrated for the treatment of pathogenic bacterial infection. Our study suggests a feasible antibacterial microrobot for in vivo development and a facile yet versatile functionalization strategy of micro/nanorobots.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
纳米技术
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治疗诊断学
·
微/纳机器人
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
·
2024
·
IF 13.3
Ziqiao Li,Yanan Che,Ming Chen,Jing Hu,Pan He,Xiang Sun,Xiaozhen Wu,Youliang Yao,Huili Zheng,Gang Liu,Xiaohui Yan
Helical micro-/nanoswimmers have been extensively explored as a miniaturized robotic tool for advanced biomedicine in the past two decades. However, the integration of biomedical functions on the existing swimmers remains insufficient to allow further in vivo developments. We propose a chemically engineered Spirulina microalgae with biogenic gold nanoparticles deposited in its cells and magnetite nanoparticles assembled on its surface. This biohybrid helical microswimmer is naturally of many desired functions and can be easily functionalized through surface modification and/or intracellular loading. The gold-enabled digital subtraction angiography of multimodal imaging function is highlighted herein. Such imaging modality makes real-time tracking possible in deep anatomical regions, guaranteeing precise in vivo navigation of our swimmers to specific lesions. Meanwhile, the gold-enhanced photothermal efficacy is also noteworthy. It regulates swimmer degradation via controlling photothermal heat and can be harnessed to implement targeted therapy, for which the targeting process and therapeutic effect are successfully demonstrated in a fluidic chip. Furthermore, the fabrication method is straightforward and cost-effective, suitable for mass production. All these results clarify the functionalization strategy enabled by biogenic intracellular deposition and provide a multifunctional biohybrid microswimmer.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
纳米技术
·
材料科学
·
生物物理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2023
·
IF 8.2
Xiaoli Zhang,Qingli Qu,Anquan Yang,Jing Wang,Weixia Cheng,Aying Zhou,Ranhua Xiong,Chaobo Huang
Bacterial infections pose a serious threat to public health, causing worldwide morbidity and about 80 % of bacterial infections are related to biofilm. Removing biofilm without antibiotics remains an interdisciplinary challenge. To solve this problem, we presented a dual-power driven antibiofilm system Prussian blue composite microswimmers based on alginate-chitosan, which designed into an asymmetric structure to achieve self-driven in the fuel solution and magnetic field. Prussian blue embedded in the microswimmers given it the ability to convert light and heat, catalyze Fenton reaction, and produce bubbles and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, with the addition of Fe 3 O 4 , the microswimmers could move in group under external magnetic field. The composite microswimmers displayed excellent antibacterial activity against S. aureus biofilm with an efficiency as high as 86.94 %. It is worth mentioning that the microswimmers were fabricated with device-simple and low-cost gas-shearing method. This system integrating physical destruction, chemical damage such chemodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy, and finally kill the plankton bacteria embedded in biofilm. This approach may cause an autonomous, multifunctional antibiofilm platform to promote the present most areas with harmful biofilm difficult to locate the surface for removal.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
材料科学
·
微生物学
·
纳米技术
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
·
2015
·Vol. 25
·期 33
·5333-5342
·
IF 11.805
Xiaohui Yan,Qi Zhou,Jiangfan Yu,Tiantian Xu,Yan Deng,Tao Tang,Qian Feng,Liming Bian,Yan Zhang,Antoine Ferreira,Li Zhang
Bacteria-inspired magnetic helical micro-/nanoswimmers can be actuated and steered in a fuel-free manner using a low-strength rotating magnetic field, generating remotely controlled 3D locomotion with high precision in a variety of biofluidic environments. They are therefore envisioned for biomedical applications related to targeted diagnosis and therapy. In this article, a porous hollow microswimmer possessing an outer shell aggregated by mesoporous spindle-like magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) and a helical-shaped inner cavity is proposed. The fabrication is straightforward via a cost-effective mass-production process of biotemplated synthesis using helical microorganisms. Here, Spirulina -based fabrication is demonstrated as an example. The fabricated microswimmers are superparamagnetic and exhibit low cytotoxicity. They are also capable of performing structural disassembly to form individual NPs using ultrasound when needed. For the first time in the literature of helical microswimmers, a porous hollow architecture is successfully constructed, achieving an ultrahigh specific surface area for surface functionalization and enabling diffusion-based cargo loading/release. Furthermore, experimental and analytical results indicate better swimming performance of the microswimmers than the existing non-hollow helical micromachines of comparable sizes and dimensions. These characteristics of the as-proposed microswimmers suggest a novel microrobotic tool with high loading capacity for targeted delivery of therapeutic/imaging agents in vitro and in vivo.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
纳米技术
·
材料科学
·
机器人学
·
药物递送系统
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）