Original: https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202500058
Micro- and nanorobots are becoming increasingly important in solving water pollution problems. As water contamination grows worse, new technologies are needed to remove pollutants more efficiently and more selectively than traditional treatment methods. These very small robots can detect, capture, and break down pollutants, offering a major step forward toward more precise and sustainable water-cleaning solutions.
This review summarizes recent progress in micro- and nanorobotics, focusing on their different ways of moving and the specific tasks they can perform in the environment. These robots have been developed to degrade microplastics, remove organic pollutants, and kill harmful microorganisms. Many systems combine photocatalytic, magnetic, or self-propelled features, showing great potential to transform how water treatment is done.
The review also discusses the challenges that must be addressed, such as scaling up the technology, reducing costs, and ensuring that the robots are environmentally safe. It calls for future research to create more adaptable, eco-friendly, and efficient robotic systems.
Overall, this review explains current advances in micro/nanorobotics and outlines a future in which smart, controllable robotic systems play a central role in sustainable water management. It provides important insights to guide upcoming innovations in the field.