State of the Art in Actuation of Micro/Nanorobots for Biomedical Applications

The emergence of micro/nanorobotics stands poised to revolutionize various biomedical applications, given its potential to offer precision, reduced invasiveness, and enhanced functionality. In the face of such potential, understanding the mechanisms that drive these tiny robots, especially their actuation techniques, becomes critical. Although there is a surge in research dedicated to micro/nanorobotics, there exists a gap in consolidating the diverse actuation strategies and their suitability for biomedical applications. This comprehensive review seeks to bridge this gap by providing an in-depth evaluation of the current actuation techniques employed by micro/nanorobots, particularly emphasizing their relevance and potential for clinical translation. The discussion starts by elucidating the different actuation strategies, ranging from magnetic, electric, acoustic, light-based, to chemical and biological mechanisms. Then, various examples and meticulous assessment of each technique are offered, spotlighting their respective merits and limitations within a biomedical context. This review illuminates the transformative capabilities of these actuation methods in medicine. It not only highlights the progress made in this burgeoning field but also underscores the areas that require further exploration and development. Micro/nanorobotics has unlocked possibilities in diverse fields, including minimally invasive surgery, regenerative medicine, and targeted drug delivery. This comprehensive review article highlights the remarkable progress in this rapidly growing field, offering a thorough evaluation of the current state of the art in actuation techniques utilized by micro/nanorobots, with a specific emphasis on their biomedical applications.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH