Material considerations and locomotive capability in catalytic tubular microengines

Driven by potential applications, such as cargo transportation (drug delivery) and biosensing, catalytic microengines have been shaped into tubular geometries with embedded catalytic and functional materials. The microengines harvest chemical energy from catalytic and biocatalytic reactions to realize autonomous locomotion at low Reynolds number, mimicking natural biomotors. The motion dynamics of these tubular microengines can be well-analyzed by a developed body-deformation model. The composition and morphology of the microengine play a key role in its overall performance and capabilities. This article highlights recent advances in the preparation of tubular microengines, related material considerations, and in their motion (speed and direction) control and functionalization towards a wide range of important practical nanoscale applications.