Hybrid Nanovehicles: One Machine, Two Engines

Nanomotors have emerged as promising and versatile nanorobotic tools in a variety of medical, sensing, decontamination, and manufacturing applications due to their unique ability to operate and perform task at small scales. This review focuses on the current progress and future perspectives of hybrid nanomotors based on two power sources, with a special highlight on their distinct advantages, unique propulsion behaviors, adaptive operation, and potential applications. Such incorporation of multiple engines into a single nanoscale vehicle addresses certain limitations of nanomotors based on a single propulsion mode and adds new dimensions for advanced motion management. These attractive capabilities of hybrid nanoscale vehicles are discussed along with the challenges and opportunities when coupling several propulsion modes into a single device. With continuous innovations, it is expected that hybrid nanomotors will have a profound impact upon the field of nanorobotics.