Periodic Oscillatory Motion of a Self‐Propelled Motor Driven by Decomposition of H 2 O 2 by Catalase

Self-Propelled Enzymatic Nanomotors from Prodrug-Skeletal Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for Boosting Multimodel Cancer Therapy Efficiency

Self-propelled nanomotors, which can autonomous propelled by harnessing others type of energy, have shown tremendous potential as drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. However, it remains challenging for nanomotors in tumor theranostics because of their structural complexity and deficient therapeutic model. Herein, glucose-fueled enzymatic nanomotors (GC6@cPt ZIFs) are developed through encapsulation of glucose oxidase (GOx), catalase (CAT), and chlorin e6 (Ce6) using cisplatin-skeletal zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (cPt ZIFs) for synergetic photochemotherapy. The GC6@cPt ZIFs nanomotors can produce O₂ through enzymatic cascade reactions for propelling the self-propulsion. Trans-well chamber and multicellular tumor spheroids experiments demonstrate the deep penetration and high accumulation of GC6@cPt nanomotors. Importantly, the glucose-fueled nanomotor can release the chemotherapeutic cPt and generate reactive oxygen species under laser irradiation, and simultaneously consume intratumoral over-expressed glutathione. Mechanistically, such processes can inhibit cancer cell energy and destroy intratumoral redox balance to synergistically damage DNA and induce tumor cell apoptosis. Collectively, this work demonstrates that the self-propelled prodrug-skeleton nanomotors with oxidative stress activation can highlight a robust therapeutic capability of oxidants amplification and glutathione depletion to boost the synergetic cancer therapy efficiency.

Atomically Dispersed Fe/N4 and Ni/N4 Sites on Separate-Sides of Porous Carbon Nanosheets with Janus Structure for Selective Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Dual single atoms catalysts have promising application in bifunctional electrocatalysis due to their synergistic effect. However, how to balance the competition between rate-limiting steps (RDSs) of reversible oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and fully expose the active centers by reasonable structure design remain enormous challenges. Herein, Fe/N₄ and Ni/N₄ sites separated on different sides of the carbon nanosheets with Janus structure (FeNi_jns /NC) is synthesized by layer-by-layer assembly method. Experiments and calculations reveal that the side of Fe/N₄ is beneficial to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the Ni/N₄ side is preferred to OER. Such Janus structure can take full advantage of two separate-sides of carbon nanosheets and balance the competition of RDSs during ORR and OER. FeNi_jns /NC possesses superior ORR and OER activity with ORR half-wave potential of 0.92 V and OER overpotential of 440 mV at J = 10 mA cm^-2 . Benefiting from the excellent bifunctional activities, FeNi_jns /NC assembled aqueous Zn-air battery (ZAB) demonstrates better maximum power density, and long-term stability (140 h) than Pt/C+RuO₂ catalyst. It also reveals superior flexibility and stability in solid-state ZAB. This work brings a novel perspective for rational design and understanding of the catalytic mechanisms of dual single atom catalysts.

pH-Sensitive Oscillatory Motion of a Urease Motor on the Urea Aqueous Phase

A self-propelled object coupled with an enzyme reaction between urease and urea was investigated at the air/aqueous interface. A plastic object that was fixed to a urease-immobilized filter paper was used as a self-propelled object, termed a urease motor, placed on an aqueous urea solution. The driving force of the urease motor is the difference in the surface tension around the object. Oscillatory motion or no motion was triggered depending on the initial pH of the urea solution. Both the frequency and maximum speed of the oscillatory motion varied depending on the initial pH of the water phase. The mechanisms underlying the oscillatory motion and no motion were discussed in relation to the bell-shaped enzyme activity of urease in the enzyme reaction and the surface tension around the urease motor.

Fundamentals and applications of enzyme powered micro/nano-motors

Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are miniaturized machines that can convert many kinds of energy into mechanical motion. Over the past decades, a variety of driving mechanisms have been developed, which have greatly extended the application scenarios of MNMs. Enzymes exist in natural organisms which can convert chemical energy into mechanical force. It is an innovative attempt to utilize enzymes as biocatalyst providing driving force for MNMs. The fuels for enzymatic reactions are biofriendly as compared to traditional counterparts, which makes enzyme-powered micro/nanomotors (EMNMs) of great value in biomedical field for their nature of biocompatibility. Until now, EMNMs with various shapes can be propelled by catalase, urease and many others. Also, they can be endowed with multiple functionalities to accomplish on-demand tasks. Herein, combined with the development process of EMNMs, we are committed to present a comprehensive understanding of EMNMs, including their types, propelling principles, and potential applications. In this review, we will introduce single enzyme that can be used as motor, enzyme powered molecule motors and other micro/nano-architectures. The fundamental mechanism of energy conversion process of EMNMs and crucial factors that affect their movement behavior will be discussed. The current progress of proof-of-concept applications of EMNMs will also be elaborated in detail. At last, we will summarize and prospect the opportunities and challenges that EMNMs will face in their future development.

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Clear classification and description of different enzyme-powered micro/nanomotors (EMNMs).

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Discussion of the fundamental mechanism of energy conversion process of EMNMs and their movement influence factors.

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Introduction of the current progress of proof-of-concept applications of EMNMs.

Self-Synchronous Swinging Motion of a Pair of Autonomous Droplets

Synchronized motion between two self-running oil droplets floating on an aqueous phase is reported. We describe the results of our observation on the interference between a pair of centimeter-sized nitrobenzene droplets undergoing back-and-forth motion on a waterway. The two droplets exhibit a swinging type of synchronization when a thin glass capillary is placed at the midpoint of the waterway with a narrow rectangle shape. Furthermore, 2:1 synchronized oscillation of the periodicities of this back-and-forth motion is generated when the capillary is shifted away from the center of the waterway. We discuss the mechanism of the emergence of synchronized swinging motion for the pair of droplets based on a simple mathematical model with nonlinear coupled differential equations.

Surface-Tension-Driven Dynamic Contact Line in Microgravity

We study the effect of Marangoni flow on a dynamic contact line formed by a propagating reaction front and a liquid-air interface. The self-sustained iodate-arsenous acid reaction maintains the production of the weakly surface active iodine leading to an unbalanced surface force along the tip of the reaction front. The experiments, performed in microgravity to exclude the contribution of buoyancy, reveal that the fluid flow generated by the surface tension gradient is localized to the contact line. The penetration depth of the surface stress is measured as 1-2 mm; therefore, with greater fluid height the liquid advancement on the upper surface does not lead to enhanced mixing in the bulk. Because the propagation velocity of the reactive interface remains at that of reaction-diffusion, the leading edge consists of two straight lines; a tilted segment connects the contact line on the surface with the vertical segment on bottom. Modeling calculations of the reaction-diffusion-advection system in three dimensions reconstruct the experimental observations and along with the experiments validate a model based on geometric spreading. According to the calculated flow field, the direction of significant fluid flow follows the concentration gradients and hence coincides with the propagation of the reaction front, allowing only negligible transverse flow in the upper fluid layer.

Bubble-Pair Propelled Colloidal Kayaker

We report a hollow dumbbell-shaped manganese dioxide (MnO₂) colloidal kayaker capable of converting a pair of breathing oxygen bubbles into self-propelled movement. The bubble pair generated by catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide fuel grew either synchronously or asynchronously, driving the colloidal kayaker to move along a fluctuating circle. The synchronous or asynchronous breathing mode of bubble pair is governed by the asymmetric catalytic sites of the colloidal kayakers. This imbalanced distribution of bubble propulsion force generates the driving force and the centripetal force on the colloidal kayaker. The dynamics of colloidal kayakers is well-described by the overdamped Langevin equation and fluid field simulation. Such bubble-pair propelled colloidal kayakers could advance applications of catalytic nanomotors, offering effective implementation for diverse tasks for a wide range of practical applications.

Period of Oscillatory Motion of a Camphor Boat Determined by the Dissolution and Diffusion of Camphor Molecules

Here, we investigated the oscillatory motion of a camphor boat on water to clarify how the dynamics of camphor concentration profile determines the period of oscillation. The boat, which was made of a plastic plate and a camphor disk, was glued below the plate at a distance from the edge. The dependence of oscillation period on temperature and viscosity of the water phase was measured in experiments. We reproduced the experimental results by calculating the period of oscillatory motion by considering the experimental values of physicochemical parameters describing the time evolution of camphor concentration profile and the friction acting on a boat, such as diffusion and dissolution rates of camphor, viscosity of the water phase, and the threshold concentration of camphor necessary to accelerate the boat from the resting state. The increase in the period of oscillatory motion at low temperatures was explained by the reduced dissolution rate of camphor into the water phase.

Marangoni-driven flower-like patterning of an evaporating drop spreading on a liquid substrate

Drop motility at liquid surfaces is attracting growing interest because of its potential applications in microfluidics and artificial cell design. Here we report the unique highly ordered pattern that sets in when a millimeter-size drop of dichloromethane spreads on an aqueous substrate under the influence of surface tension, both phases containing a surfactant. Evaporation induces a Marangoni flow that forces the development of a marked rim at the periphery of the spreading film. At some point this rim breaks up, giving rise to a ring of droplets, which modifies the aqueous phase properties in such a way that the film recoils. The process repeats itself, yielding regular large-amplitude pulsations. Wrinkles form at the film surface due to an evaporative instability. During the dewetting stage, they emit equally spaced radial strings of droplets which, combined with those previously expelled from the rim, make the top view of the system resemble a flower.

In liquid–liquid systems, Marangoni effects induced by surface tension gradients may result in the formation of peculiar self-assembled patterns. Wodlei et al. utilize this effect to draw a ‘flower’ by letting an oil droplet evaporate on an aqueous substrate in the presence of a cationic surfactant.

Geometry Design, Principles and Assembly of Micromotors

Discovery of bio-inspired, self-propelled and externally-powered nano-/micro-motors, rotors and engines (micromachines) is considered a potentially revolutionary paradigm in nanoscience. Nature knows how to combine different elements together in a fluidic state for intelligent design of nano-/micro-machines, which operate by pumping, stirring, and diffusion of their internal components. Taking inspirations from nature, scientists endeavor to develop the best materials, geometries, and conditions for self-propelled motion, and to better understand their mechanisms of motion and interactions. Today, microfluidic technology offers considerable advantages for the next generation of biomimetic particles, droplets and capsules. This review summarizes recent achievements in the field of nano-/micromotors, and methods of their external control and collective behaviors, which may stimulate new ideas for a broad range of applications.