Micromotors are self-propelled small-scale structures which utilize their movement to perform or enhance a task. Most current designs include catalytic oxides and noble metals or photocatalytic semiconductors and fragile enzymes which decompose toxic fuels, most notable hydrogen peroxide. In an attempt to break away from these materials and pursue more sustainable systems we have utilized active, transient, biocompatible metals such as Fe, Zn and Mg as the sources of propulsion. Due to the inherent reactivity of these metals, they can be used in environmentally friendly solutions such as seawater or biologically-relevant liquids such as gastric acid and intestinal fluid. Additionally, we are able to fabricate micromotors of varying geometries such as tube and Janus particle and apply them to payload towing and drug delivery. Finally, we present the design of a fully transient and self-destroyed micromotor which leaves no trace after accomplishing its task.

Transient metals in micromotor design

2019 Fall National Meeting

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