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Spermatozoa as Functional Components of Robotic Microswimmers
Veronika Magdanz1, Mariana Medina-Sánchez1, Lukas Schwarz1
1Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, IFW Dresden e.V., Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Helmholtzstrasse 20, 01069, Dresden, Germany.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|March 22, 2017
Summary
Researchers combined synthetic nanomaterials with spermatozoa to create microrobotic spermbots. This review discusses advances, applications, and challenges in developing these hybrid microswimmers for biomedical and nanotechnological fields.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Robotics
Background:
- Synthetic micro- and nanomaterials are increasingly integrated with biological components.
- Spermatozoa offer unique motility for micro-robotic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review initial advances in spermbots development.
- To elaborate on the use of spermatozoa as functional components in microdevices.
- To discuss potential applications and challenges in the field.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on spermbots.
- Analysis of spermatozoa as biological actuators.
- Discussion of hybrid microswimmer design and fabrication.
Main Results:
- Development of tubular and helical spermbots.
- Identification of potential biomedical and nanotechnological applications.
- Outlined obstacles and proposed solutions for spermbots development.
Conclusions:
- Spermbots represent a promising hybrid technology.
- Further research is needed to overcome fabrication and control challenges.
- Potential applications span targeted drug delivery to in vitro fertilization.
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