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A motor unit consists of two main components: a single efferent motor neuron (i.e., a neuron that carries impulses away from the central nervous system) and all of the muscle fibers it innervates. The motor neuron may innervate multiple muscle fibers, which are single cells, but only one motor neuron innervates a single muscle fiber.
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Design and Assembly of an Ultra-light Motorized Microdrive for Chronic Neural Recordings in Small Animals
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Nature-inspired micro/nanomotors.

Xiaocong Chang1,2, Yiwen Feng3, Bin Guo1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Micro-systems and Micro-Structures Manufacturing (Harbin Institute of Technology), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150001, China.

Nanoscale
|December 22, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nature inspires micro/nanomotors with unique designs and functions. This review covers five categories of nature-inspired micro/nanomotors, highlighting their potential in various applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomimetic Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Nature exhibits diverse morphologies, structures, and behaviors for survival.
  • These natural adaptations offer inspiration for synthetic micro/nanomotor design.
  • Micro/nanomotors are crucial for various advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review diverse nature-inspired micro/nanomotors.
  • To categorize these micro/nanomotors based on their natural inspiration.
  • To highlight the potential applications of these engineered systems.

Main Methods:

  • Categorization based on natural morphology inspiration (e.g., plants, animals).
  • Categorization based on natural structure inspiration (e.g., cells, microorganisms).
  • Categorization based on natural behavior inspiration (e.g., motion, swarm, communication).

Main Results:

  • Micro/nanomotors inspired by natural morphology, structure, and behavior were reviewed.
  • Five categories of nature-inspired micro/nanomotors were identified.
  • These systems demonstrate novel morphologies, preparation methods, propulsion, and functions.

Conclusions:

  • Nature-inspired micro/nanomotors offer a promising platform for innovation.
  • These motors possess unique characteristics derived from natural designs.
  • Broad applications are anticipated in various practical fields.