Steermotors

Project description

This research project (Steermotors) deals with the development of visible-light-driven self- micromotors with unique chemical stability, redox properties, and long-lived excited states and motion programmability properties.

Artificial photoactivated microswimmers, which use light as their main power source similar to many biological systems, are at the forefront of the micro/nanomotors field. This rapidly developing field currently relies on inorganic semiconductors, known for their fast charge pair recombination and limited photostability.

The main goal of Steermotors is to fabricate a fundamentally different type of light-driven micromotors, based on a [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complex, integrated on a polymer matrix. This will result in superior performance in terms of stability, visible light absorption, and catalytic activity compared to traditional metal oxide-based micromotors. On the other hand, considering the ability of Ru-complex to generate reactive radicals upon photoactivation, their capabilities for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as drug-free agents will be also explored. Therefore, Steermotors will contribute to the development of steerable light-driven micromotors for targeted biofilm eradication with far-reaching scientific and socio-economic impacts.

The Steermotors project is anticipated to significantly advance scientific and technical knowledge by introducing a novel type of light-driven micromotors based on Ru-complex with unique stability and redox properties, providing alternative materials for developing photoactive systems with improved performance. These micromotors will be steered by a simple light shaping setup, enabling a precise control with spatiotemporal resolution. Moreover, the motion programmability of such Ru-based micromotors will be explored, for the first time, for biofilm removal in microfluidic chips, resulting in higher efficiencies with reduced side effects. Overall, it will also foster interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, materials science, and biomedical engineering, promoting comprehensive knowledge and innovation. Additionally, it will provide valuable training opportunities for students and researchers, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce and the dissemination of advanced photochemistry and nanotechnology knowledge.

Ayuda CNS2024-154696, financiada por MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033.