An Overview of Recent Progress in Micro/Nanorobots for Biomedical Applications

Micro/nanorobots are the general terms for microrobot and nanorobot, whose sizes are often between 1 nm and 1 mm. They can convert a variety of external energy sources into mechanical energy. In recent decades, micro/nanorobots have made remarkable progress in research. Based on different motion mechanisms, micro/nanorobots can achieve efficient movement and operation in microscale spaces owing to their small size and flexibility. Micro/nanorobots have attracted extensive interest because of their significant potential for development in biomedical fields, including minimally invasive surgery, targeted therapy, detection, and sensing. First, based on propulsion methods, research achievements and progress of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine are reviewed from four perspectives: physical, chemical, biological, and hybrid propulsions. Subsequently, research on overcoming the challenges encountered by micro/nanorobots in clinical applications is reviewed. Finally, research on micro/nanorobots in biomedicine is summarized and discussed.

Automated summary

Micro/nanorobots, characterized by their sizes between 1 nm and 1 mm, have the ability to convert external energy sources into mechanical energy. In recent years, they have made significant progress in different research fields, particularly in biomedicine. The small size and flexibility of micro/nanorobots enable them to achieve efficient movement and operation in microscale spaces. Their potential applications in minimally invasive surgery, targeted therapy, detection, and sensing have attracted extensive interest. This article reviews the research achievements and progress of micro/nanorobots in biomedicine from the perspectives of different propulsion methods and discusses the challenges they face in clinical applications.