Catalytic Motors-Quo Vadimus?

Self-propelled, active colloidal systems are of great current interest from both fundamental as well as practical standpoints, with potential applications in nanomachinery, nanoscale assembly, robotics, fluidics, and chemical/biochemical sensing. This perspective focuses on chemically powered catalytic nano- and micromotors. We review the major advances to date in motor design, propulsion mechanisms and directional control, and inter motor communication leading to collective behavior. We conclude by discussing the next steps in going forward: the fundamental questions that remain to be addressed and new design principles required for useful applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.