A collaborative team from Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic has created biohybrid microrobots designed to remove micro and nanoplastic particles from water systems. Their findings appear in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, highlighting a new approach to tackling plastic pollution at the smallest scales.
The devices, known as magnetic algae robots, or MAR, blend living algae with environmentally friendly magnetic materials to form a responsive, functional unit. These microrobots are driven by an external magnetic field, enabling precise and versatile control over their movement and positioning within contaminated water samples.
The surface chemistry of MAR plays a crucial role in how they interact with tiny plastics. Algal cell surfaces carry negative charges from carboxyl groups, while many micro and nanoplastics in water can present positive charges. The resulting electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged components enables MAR to capture and remove targeted plastic particles efficiently, as explained by a coauthor of the study who specializes in energy and future innovation research. The team emphasizes that this charge-based mechanism allows selective binding to plastics while minimizing disruption to the surrounding water matrix.
In controlled experiments, the researchers demonstrated that MAR can be steered remotely with high fidelity, achieving consistent movement patterns and effective aggregation of plastic contaminants. The tests showed notable performance in real-time tracking and removal within the experimental tanks, underscoring the potential of these biohybrid systems to operate in practical settings with minimal human intervention.
Results from the study indicate cleaning efficiencies reaching remarkable levels. The microrobots achieved up to around 92 percent removal for nanoplastics and about 70 percent removal for microplastics under optimized conditions, signaling a strong capability to reduce plastic load in affected water bodies. These outcomes are presented as a promising advance in active remediation technologies for aquatic environments and may inform the development of scalable, field-ready solutions. The research is cited as evidence of progress in the broader effort to design autonomous systems capable of addressing diverse contaminants through targeted interactions and controlled motion. The work is associated with recent advances in magnetic actuation and biohybrid device design and is referenced by researchers outside the team as a meaningful step forward in environmental nanotechnology. Source attribution: Advanced Functional Materials.
Earlier studies by other researchers have laid the groundwork for direct, location-specific detection of microplastic contamination in soils and sediments, contributing to a growing toolkit of methods for environmental assessment and cleanup. This line of investigation supports a broader understanding of how physical forces, surface chemistry, and biological components can cooperate to detect, capture, and remove tiny plastic particles from complex ecosystems, including freshwater and coastal environments in North America and beyond. The ongoing exploration of biohybrid microrobots continues to inspire new approaches for safer, cleaner water and for reducing the ecological footprint of plastic debris in regions where people rely on reliable water resources.