Synthetic Micro/Nanomotors and Pumps: Fabrication and Applications

Synthetic active systems capable of autonomous motion or driving fluid flow are of great current interest owing to their potential applications in nanomachinery, cargo capture and delivery, reversible assemblies, and chemical/biochemical sensing. Designing self-powered micro/nanomotors and understanding their propulsion mechanisms and ensemble behavior are now areas of great interest in low-Reynolds-number mechanics. In this article, we classify prototypes of existing small-scale motors on the basis of the materials used in synthesis and fabrication, with the aim of understanding the importance of material selection in designing functional motors for futuristic applications.