Micro/Nanorobots as Active Delivery Systems for Biomedicine: From Self‐Propulsion to Controllable Navigation

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, micro/nanorobots have attracted intensive interests in biomedicine, which is a multidisciplinary research field involved with robotics, medicine, and nanotechnology. Different from conventional nanomaterials utilized for human being healthcare, micro/nanorobots can effectively convert diverse energy sources into movement and force, covering a broad spectrum of applications in precise drug delivery, controllable drug release, potent tissue penetration, enhanced drug retention, precise operation of minimally invasive surgery, medical sensing, and detoxification. In this review, the self‐propelled mechanisms and controllable navigation of micro/nanorobots are first summarized, then the recent progress on micro/nanorobots as active delivery systems for biomedicine are presented. Finally, the perspective and challenge are also discussed. It is expected that this review gives an insight into the active delivery systems based on micro/nanorobots for disease therapy and diagnosis, detection, and biodetoxification, aiming for more extensive research in biomedicine and the clinical transformation in the near future.