Artificial Micro/Nanomachines for Bioapplications: Biochemical Delivery and Diagnostic Sensing

Recent progress in artificial nanomachines offers promising solutions to grand challenges in biochemical delivery and diagnostics. In this work, advances of micro/nanomachines made of synthesized micro/nanostructures for applications in delivery and detection of biomolecules are reviewed, along with a discussion of pros and cons of each type of machine. The review of micro/nanomachines is categorized according to their working mechanisms, including motion actuation realized by magnetic, electric, and acoustic fields and chemical reactions. The developments of micro/nanomachines are discussed in depth in the fabrication, propulsion, and motion control, loading and releasing of micro/nanosubstances, and biochemical sensing. The rapid development of man-made miniaturized machines paves the road toward future intelligent nanorobots and nanofactories that can revolutionize society.