Colloidal Motors 101: A Beginner's Guide to Colloidal Motor Research. Issue 14 (14th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Xi; Zhou, Chao; Wang, Wei
• Is Part Of: Chemistry, an Asian journal. Volume 14:Issue 14(2019)
• Page Start: 2388
• Page End: 2405
• Publication Date: 2019-05-14
• Subjects: mechanisms -- micromotors -- nanomotors -- self-propulsion -- tutorial review; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201900377
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1861-4728

Abstract

Abstract: The research progress in colloidal motors, synthetic colloids that convert environmental energy and swim in water, has attracted much attention in recent years. Yet, its rapid development and interdisciplinary nature has created a hurdle for beginners, especially students and postdocs. In light of this challenge, this tutorial review gives a bird's eye overview of the research field of colloidal motors, presenting in a beginner‐friendly manner subjects including the definition and significance of colloidal motors, physical challenges associated with their motion at the microscale, their fabrication and propulsion mechanisms, functionalities that enable their applications, and essential tools and techniques useful for beginners. Emphasis on each aspect is placed on elucidating and connecting important concepts and ideas, rather than on details and individual references. An appendix of recent review articles grouped by subjects on colloidal motors is given in the Supporting Information. This article equips beginners with a clear big picture and essential knowledge that will facilitate future explorations. Abstract : Get your motor running : This tutorial review gives a bird's eye overview of the research field of colloidal motors (or "micro‐ and nanomotors"), introducing concepts, techniques, and mechanisms that are essential to beginners. A few frontier research topics are presented at the concluding section, and recent review articles are grouped by various topics in the Supporting Information. This review should serve as a great introductory material for students, postdocs, and any researcher new to the research field of colloidal motors.