Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
The cilia are made up of microtubules in a 9+2 arrangement, with nine microtubule doublet ring bundles, surrounding a pair of central singlet microtubule bundles. The doublet microtubule bundles are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Ultrathin proton exchange membranes with enhanced dimensional stability towards acidic CO<sub>2</sub> electroreduction.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2026

Same author

Magnetoelectric microrobots for spinal cord injury regeneration.

Nature materials·2026

Same author

Surface engineering of SnO<sub>2</sub> for improved perovskite/SnO<sub>2</sub> photodetectors.

RSC advances·2026

Same author

Porous Hybrid Soft Actuators From Liquid Crystal Networks and Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystal Templated Hydrogels.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026

Same author

Biocompatible Magnetopyroelectric Composite Films for Cell Stimulation.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2026

Same author

Broadband-Responsive UiO-PPy MOF Micromotors for 3D Motion and Selective Dye Separation.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Hand Controlled Manipulation of Single Molecules via a Scanning Probe Microscope with a 3D Virtual Reality Interface

Hand Controlled Manipulation of Single Molecules via a Scanning Probe Microscope with a 3D Virtual Reality Interface

Published on: October 2, 2016

3D Motion Manipulation for Micro- and Nanomachines: Progress and Future Directions.

Hai Huang¹, Shihao Yang², Yulong Ying¹

¹School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|October 6, 2023

Summary

Micro- and nanomachines (MNMs) show promise in medicine and environmental applications. This review highlights advances in 3D motion control for these machines, overcoming limitations in vertical movement.

Keywords:

3D motion buoyancy force regulation micro-/nanoswimmers z-axis motion

More Related Videos

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Published on: May 25, 2016

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Hand Controlled Manipulation of Single Molecules via a Scanning Probe Microscope with a 3D Virtual Reality Interface

Hand Controlled Manipulation of Single Molecules via a Scanning Probe Microscope with a 3D Virtual Reality Interface

Published on: October 2, 2016

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Free-form Light Actuators — Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Published on: May 25, 2016

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

Area of Science:

Robotics
Materials Science
Biotechnology

Background:

Micro- and nanomachines (MNMs) have advanced targeted drug delivery, tumor therapy, and environmental remediation.
Current MNM research primarily focuses on 2D horizontal motion, limiting broader applications.
Achieving controlled three-dimensional (3D) motion, especially vertical movement, remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the latest advancements in MNMs with 3D motion capabilities.
To discuss various manipulation approaches and underlying motion mechanisms for 3D MNMs.
To explore nature-inspired designs and 3D tracking systems for MNMs.

Main Methods:

Review of recent literature on 3D micro- and nanomachines.
Analysis of different energy sources and manipulation techniques (chemical, acoustic, optical, electrical, magnetic, thermal).
Discussion of biomimetic design principles and advanced 3D tracking technologies.

Main Results:

Significant progress has been made in developing MNMs capable of controlled 3D movement.
Various strategies are being explored to overcome self-gravity and enable precise navigation in complex environments.
Emerging 3D observation and tracking systems are crucial for validating MNM performance.

Conclusions:

Overcoming 3D motion limitations is key to unlocking the full potential of MNMs in diverse fields.
Future MNM development should focus on robust 3D maneuverability and sophisticated control systems.
Interdisciplinary approaches combining robotics, materials science, and nanotechnology are essential for future breakthroughs.