Abstract
Environmental remediation is a highly pressing issue in society. Here we demonstrate that autonomous self-propelled millimeter sized capsules can sense the presence of pollutants, mark sites for visible identification and remove the contamination, while navigating in a complex environment of interconnected channels, the maze. Such long-range self-powered capsules propelled by the Marangoni effect are capable of releasing chemicals to alter the pH and induce aggregation during pollutant flocculation at a faster rate than convection or diffusion. These devices are foreseen to have real-world environmental applications in the near future.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Capsules
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Chemical Precipitation
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Dimethylformamide / chemistry
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Energy Transfer*
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Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation*
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Environmental Restoration and Remediation / instrumentation*
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Equipment Design
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Flocculation
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Imidazoles / chemistry
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Materials Testing
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Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
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Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
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Nanocapsules / chemistry
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Polymers / chemistry
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Printing, Three-Dimensional
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Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / analysis*
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Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / chemistry
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Sulfones / chemistry
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Surface-Active Agents / analysis*
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Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
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Video Recording
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Water Pollutants / analysis*
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Water Pollutants / antagonists & inhibitors
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Water Pollutants / chemistry
Substances
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Capsules
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Imidazoles
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Nanocapsules
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Polymers
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Sulfones
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Surface-Active Agents
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Water Pollutants
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polysulfone P 1700
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Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
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imidazole
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Dimethylformamide